MOSCOW, March 10,  /ITAR-TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent congratulatory telegrams to the Russian champions and medalists of the XI Paralympic Winter Games in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi, the Kremlin reported Monday.

Russia’s national team won 2 golds, 3 silvers and 2 bronzes on Monday.

The gold medals were won by skiers Rushan Minnegulov (men’s standing 20-kilometer classic event) and Elena Remizova (women’s 15-km classic event for visually impaired).

Putin’s telegram to Minnegulov says: “You showed your fighting spirit, strength of character and will to finish with this excellent result and convincingly beat worthy rivals. This gold medal that you won in a fair and uncompromising fight makes a big contribution to the Russian team’s medal count.”

The message to Remizova says: “This triumph is a deserved reward for your immense effort, sporting skill and determination to reach your goals. You withstood intense competition and showed exceptional determination to win, and you deserved your first place on the medals podium.”

Putin also sent telegrams to skiers Mikhalina Lysova, Stanislav Chokhlayev and alpine skier Alexandra Frantseva, who won silvers, and bronze medalists - skiers Vladislav Lekomtsev and Anna Milenina.

Team Russia is currently at the top of the medal standings with 24 medals (7 golds, 10 silvers and 7 bronzes).

The 2014 Winter Paralympics will run until March 16. Over 1,350 Paralympic athletes from 45 countries are competing for 72 sets of medals at the Games.