Putin noted the talent and determination of Olympic champion Saitiev

The President of Russia Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences to the family and friends of the deceased three-time Olympic freestyle wrestling champion Buvaysar Saitiev. The telegram was published on March 3 on site The Kremlin.

"Everyone who knew Buvaysar Khamidovich sincerely respected him not only as a talented athlete, but also as a bright, extraordinary, purposeful person," the head of state said.

Putin called the athlete an unsurpassed winner, a triumphant world champion and a legendary representative of the Russian school of freestyle wrestling. The President stressed that the memory of Saitiev will forever remain in the hearts of his loved ones, relatives, teammates and friends.

Saytiyev's death at the age of 49 was reported on March 2. He is one of the most decorated freestyle wrestlers. Saitiev became Olympic champion at the Olympic Games in Atlanta in 1996, in Athens in 2004 and in Beijing in 2008. In addition, he won the World and European Championships six times.

Three-time Olympic freestyle wrestling champion, State Duma deputy Artur Taymazov said on the same day that people like Saitiev are born once in a thousand years, he href="https://iz.ru/1847753/2025-03-02/v-gosdume-nazvali-chempiona-po-volnoi-borbe-saitieva-vydaiushchimsia-chelovekom"> he was an outstanding man and a legend.