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Putin visits China House in the Olympic Village and wishes good luck to athletes

The Russian head of state toured the stands that tell about Russian-Chinese Youth Sport Games as well as sport contacts between Russia and China

© ITAR-TASS/Mikhail Klimentyev

SOCHI, February 10. /ITAR-TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the China House in Sochi, a cultural project of the Chinese Olympic Committee, on Monday evening.

The project’s aim is to step up China’s cultural exchanges with other countries, organize news conferences and arrange interviews with athletes, coaches and Chinese officials.

The Russian head of state toured the stands that tell about Russian-Chinese Youth Sport Games as well as sport contacts between Russia and China. After that, Russian and Chinese Wushu wrestlers, including that of World Wushu Champion Darya Tarasova, demonstrated their skills to the Putin who thanked them for their performance.

The Russian president said that Chinese President Xi Jinping has asked him to pay special attention to the Chinese team because winter sports were just gaining momentum in China.

“I am sure that China will show brilliant performance at the Sochi Olympics,” Putin noted, adding that Chinese athletes would enjoy their stay in Sochi anyway.

Liu Peng, director of the State Sport Administration of China, noted that President Putin’s arrival in the China House would bring luck to Chinese and Russian athletes.

The lucky stars already shined over both teams when they won medals in short-track. The medal was the first one for China.

“I would like to congratulate you on your success. The whole world knows that China is actively developing sport, and that the Chinese leadership is paying great attention to it,” Putin said, commenting on China’s achievement.

“I am sure that Chinese athletes will reach great heights in Sochi. I hope that you all feel at home here. This is the first but not the last medal for the Chinese team at the Sochi Olympics,” the Russian president emphasized.

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