Putin said that Russians are proud and admire the results of the Paralympians

The people of Russia are proud of and admire the high results that Paralympians from the Russian Federation showed at the last summer Paralympics in Paris. This was stated by Russian President Vladimir Putin on December 16 at the ceremony of presenting state awards to Paralympic winners in the Kremlin.

"The whole country - I assure you, the whole country - has always been with you. I am sure, and in your hearts and thoughts you have always thought about your homeland. We are not just proud, we sincerely, deeply admire you," Putin said.

He noted that millions of people are inspired by the very fact that people who have health limitations are engaged in sports. Paralympians, as the head of state noted, are unique people who are heroes both in life and in sports. Such athletes have optimism and perseverance, their path to sporting triumph is a vivid proof that willpower and character will triumph.

Putin emphasized that the example of Paralympians' life, which is full of events and sporting achievements, makes it clear that human possibilities are limitless, and the adversity that athletes have faced in life cannot break strong-spirited people.

At the ceremony of presenting state awards, the President awarded the Order of Honor to swimmers Roman Zhdanov and Valeria Shabalina, track and field athletes Andrei Vdovin and Vladimir Sviridov. The Order of Friendship was awarded to track and field athletes Alexander Kostin and Khetag Khinchagov.

The Paralympic Games were held in Paris from August 28 to September 8. They were attended by 90 Russian athletes, who won 64 medals, including 20 gold medals. The athletes competed under a neutral flag.

In October, Putin signed a decree awarding them. Then the president noted that Russia is proud of its Paralympians, as they win and take prizes at all international tournaments.