MOSCOW, February 7. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated national figure skaters with winning the gold of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in the team’s competition, according to a congratulatory message posted on Monday on the Kremlin official website.
Earlier in the day, Russian figure skaters won gold in the team competition at the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing.
"You have succeeded in meeting all the challenges of the team figure skating event, having demonstrated brilliant skills, resilience and willpower as well as the determination to fight until the end and win," Putin stated.
"And, of course, you have given unforgettable moments of joy and triumph to your families, mentors, and numerous fans," the Russian president added in his congratulatory message.
Russia’s Kamila Valieva scored 178.92 points, taking the top prize in the women’s free skate event, which closed the team competition. Team ROC (the Russian Olympic Committee) ended the team competition with a total of 74 points to take the gold.
Russia’s Mark Kondratyuk represented the team in the men’s singles, and Valieva in the women’s singles. Anastasia Mishina and Alexander Galliamov skated in the pairs competitions and Victoria Sinitsina and Nikita Katsalapov in the ice dance.
Valieva won the short and free skating events. Kondratyuk came in third in the short event and second in the free event. Mishina and Galliamov won in the free skating and were runners-up in the short event. Sinitsina and Katsalapov finished second in both events.
Team USA took the silver with judges awarding them an aggregate of 65 points, only two points ahead of the bronze winners from Japan (63 points).
The 2022 Winter Olympic Games in the Chinese capital of Beijing are being held between February 4 and 20. During the 128th IOC session in Kuala Lumpur on July 31, 2015, Beijing was chosen to host the 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games making the Chinese capital the first city ever to host both the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games (in 2008) as well as the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games (in 2022).
Russian athletes at Beijing-2022
Due to international sanctions against Russian sports, athletes from Russia are competing in the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing under the flag and logo of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) instead of the Russian national flag and state emblem.
The national anthem of Russia is also under sanctions at the Olympics in China. The First Piano Concerto by Pyotr Tchaikovsky was selected to be played at awarding ceremonies for Russian Olympians in Beijing.