Nikolay Saprin: Russia has made the feat at the Olympics in Rio

Tonight 31st Summer Olympic Games came to an end. For the first time in history of the South American country hosted the event. At the end of the competition, the Russian team was in the fourth place of the medal standings with 56 medals (19 gold, 18 silver and 19 bronze).

TV commentator, Nickolay Saprin, said in an interview with a Vesting Kavkaza correspondent that the results by Russian athletes in such difficult conditions are a real feat, especially in times when they had to cope with the psychological pressure from WADA and international federations. 

‘‘It was psychologically difficult for all Olympians not only ahead of the Olympics, but also at the time of competitions. It was clear during the competitions. For example, Yuliya Efimova and Daria Ustinova were allowed to perform at the last moment and they failed to reach maximum results," he said.

According to expert, in such conditions the team managed to unite. "The Russian Olympians tried to perform at the peak of their forces. They successfully represented not only for themselves, but all the country. Their results are a victory of character. I think that the Russian team showed one of the best results in history,’’ he said.

In general, summing up the results of the 31st Olympic Games in Brazil, he drew attention to the fact that Russian athletes have shown their strength of spirit. 

"Our Olympians managed to unite and show all their force. Athletes from different regions won medals. As for wrestling, a lot of medals were won by representatives of the Caucasus,’’ he said.

However, he expressed a doubt that the pressure on the Russian athletes will decrease after the Olympic Games. 

"It was reported just a few days before the end of the Games in Brazil about disqualifications of athletes due to positive doping tests taken during the Olympics in Beijing. I think that today this question is not closed. The question is more complicated with Russian Paralympic athletes who were not allowed for the Games. But at the same time, I believe, Russia will be able to eventually achieve tolerance Paralympic team to compete in Rio de Janeiro,’’ Nikolai Saprin concluded.