Putin: Russian Olympic team's performance in Rio was worthy

Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting with the Russian Olympic team at the Kremlin.

"We know how difficult it has been for our athletes in Rio. On the eve of the competition, our team has been cut by a third. It was deprived of the opportunity to showcase themselves in sports where Russia is traditionally recognized as a frontrunners," he said.

"But our national team coped with all the difficulties, performed as a unified team, proved that victory is given not only by the number – although the number was important in this case – but at least perhaps more importantly, skill. As real fighters, you have not drifted, not broken, but fought and won," the President stressed.

Putin also awarded athletes for their participation in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

A creative producer and the host of Vesti FM, Gia Saralidze, speaking with a correspondent of Vestnik Kavkaza, said that the Russian national team's performance at the Summer Olympic Games can be evaluated as outstanding.

"Given the pressure from WADA and part of the International Olympic Committee, taking into account that some of our competitors have known that they were permitted almost a day before the start of the performances, we can say that it is an outstanding fourth place," he stressed.

TV commentator, Nikolai Saprin, said in an interview with Vesting Kavkaza 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.

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.