President Dmitry Medvedev confers Russia’s Order of Friendship on IAAF President Lamine Diack
Be it a sport ground or the apex level national leadership, Russia has always emerged as an admirer of athletics. Likewise, its leadership is never behind in acknowledging the International Association of Athletics Federations’ (IAAF) efforts for promoting
the sport in the country.
Following its tradition, the country conferred one of its most prestigious awards – Order of Friendship, on Lamine Diack, President of the world athletics body.
The award, given by the President Dmitry Medvedev, as stated by the Russian government, was an acknowledgement of the IAAF President’s efforts for the promotion of the sport in Russia.
Diack, Head of the IAAF, accompanied by international sports leaders, was invited to President Medvedev’s official residence present in Gorki-9, situated about 18km away from Moscow.
The others who were also bestowed the ‘Order of Friendship’ award were: Jacques Rogge – President of the IOC, Rene Fasel – President of the International Ice Hockey Federation, and Tamash Ayan – President of the International Weightlifting Federation.
All these awards were given for acknowledging the respective world bodies that had played a vital role in promoting sports in Russia.
While welcoming the respected guests, and appreciating the input they had provided for popularizing the respective sports in Russia, President Medvedev said, “You’re doing a great deal to popularize the sports governed by the international federations over
which you preside. In Russia, these sports have a huge number of athletes, and of course a huge army of fans. I would like to cordially congratulate you on receiving this state award”.
Mentioning particularly the country’s impressive performance in athletics, Medvedev stated, “Our national track and field team in Korea (IAAF World Championships, Daegu 2011), won nine gold medals, thus repeating the brilliant achievement of the national
team of the Soviet Union at the 1991 World Championships (Tokyo)”.
Further adding to his words, the President also appreciated the performance displayed by Maria Savinova over the distance of 800m in the World Championships. The girl, for her splendid performance, was conferred the European Athlete of the Year award.
Among others, the award giving ceremony was also attended by Valentin Balakhnichev, President of the All-Russia Athletics Federation (ARAF). He happens to be the honorary Treasurer of the IAAF as well.
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