Heroes’ homecoming! Kovalchuk and Co. in Kremlin
Published 12 May, 2009, 15:32
President Dmitry Medvedev has given a warm welcome to the Russian ice hockey team in the Kremlin for defending its world crown on Sunday.
Medvedev congratulated the players with the victory and thanked them for their eye-catching style and determination to be victorious.
”On behalf of all Russian fans, thank you very much. You have gladdened the whole country and created a remarkable emotional atmosphere, which is always needed, especially now,” said Medvedev, adding that he watched the final game against Canada regardless of the late hour.
“Such victories restore the former glory of the Russian hockey, and you are its makers,” Medvedev addressed to the team.
Medvedev particularly thanked head coach Vyacheslav Bykov for his brilliant work and his second consecutive success at the World Ice Hockey Championship. Medvedev wished Bykov to carry on with his responsibilities in Vancouver.
The President also reminded a year ago after their success in Quebec where he received the victorious team for the first time. “I hope this will become a real tradition,” Medvedev noted.
Bykov, in his turn, thanked the president for his support. He admitted that the world hockey crown was not a simple task to accomplish, as the team came up against many obstacles before winning the title.
“Regardless of the problems we tried to show the best qualities of the Russian sportsman, who always staggers along and respects his opponent, friends and supporters,” Bykov said.
Much like a year ago, Medvedev didn’t go away ungifted either. Team Russia captain Aleksey Morozov and the tournament’s MVP Ilya Kovalchuk presented the President with a jersey of Aleksandr Radulov, who scored the winning goal in the final, as well as with a gold medal and a title ring. Later Radulov told RT he was surprised by the choice of his teammates.
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