URA! It’s hip, hip, hooray for the home-team! Let ‘er rip! President Dmitri Medvedev (1965- ), gives his good wishes to the Russian Olympians in the State Kremlin Palace.
Today, Russia is seeing its team off to the upcoming Olympic Games in Beijing. President Medvedev received the Olympians in the Moscow Kremlin. He wished them every bit of luck in the games which are scheduled to begin on 8 August. In his view, “All of you who are going to defend the honour of Russian sport in Beijing have already proven you are worthy of international recognition. There is good reason to expect you to score impressive victories, because many Olympic records bear your names. In the past few years, quite a few awards have been won by Russian sportsmen. Obviously, I cannot predict the outcome of the Beijing games, but, I want all of you to know that all of us will root for you with our whole heart; we know that you will give your all, so, we believe in your victory. Be assured that we all support you. I am convinced that you will show the true meaning of sport in Beijing. Forward, Russia! It is your shining hour! Good luck and success to all of you!”
The Beijing games are due to begin within a few days. Russia is sending one of the largest delegations to the games. Amongst them are previous champions of European, world and previous Olympic competitions. They will compete in 244 of 302 Olympic events. They really hope to win in boxing, wrestling, rhythmic gymnastics, synchronised swimming, track and field, weight-lifting, and fencing, as well as the tennis, volleyball, and basketball tournaments. Because Russia did very well in the previous Athens games, the Russian National Olympic Committee expects its team count to be one of the three highest in Beijing. 457 Russian sportsmen took part in the Athens games. They competed in 38 sports, winning Olympic medals in 24 and gold medals in 13. They won 27 gold, 27 silver, and 38 bronze medals in Athens.
The captain of the men’s basketball team, Andrei Kirilenko, will carry the colours of Russia at the opening ceremony. A contingent of 5,000 Russian fans going to China will be led by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. The opening of the 29th Olympic Games is scheduled for 8 seconds after 20.08 (that is, 8 in the evening) on 8 August at the main Olympic stadium in Beijing, the “Bird’s Nest”.
29 July 2008
Lada Korotun
Voice of Russia World Service
http://www.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=rus&q=78463&cid=25&p=29.07.2008 (in Russian)
