Russian lawmakers greet national Paralympic athletes
SportLawmakers at the Russian parliament’s lower house, the State Duma, received Russian Paralympians on Wednesday and honored their performance at the recently concluded 2014 Winter Paralympic Games in Sochi.
Russia’s national team finished the country’s ever first Paralympic Games, held in Sochi between March 7 and 16, in the first place of the medals standings, packing a total of 80 medals (30 gold, 28 silver and 22 bronze).
“Probably several months ago no one could even allege that the victory of the Russian team at both the Olympic and Paralympic Games would be so colossal,” Sergei Naryshkin, the speaker of the State Duma, said opening the meeting with the Paralympians.
“A total of 113 medals were grabbed [as result of the Olympic and Paralympic Games], while Paralympians set an unimaginable record of 80 medals, including 30 gold,” Naryshkin said.
President of the Russian Paralympic Committee Vladimir Lukin said in turn that “the stage of the Paralympics heritage has just begun,” adding that Russia needs to continue creating barrier-free environment across the country.
According to him, it is necessary not in word, but in fact “to attentively monitor the development of our country into an accessible environment for all citizens as is stipulated by the Constitutional principle of equality.