By IANS,
Moscow : Russian President Vladimir Putin Monday wished success to the Russian Paralympic team, which will leave for London to take part in the 2012 Paralympic Games.
“Your every victory and your every success deserves deep respect. We will always support you with all our heart,” Putin said at a meeting with more than 270 athletes and sports staff, Xinhua reports.
The president admitted that competitions in London will not be easy for the Russian players, but he stressed the Russian national team’s performance was always stable.
Putin promised the government “will continue to focus on Paralympics development”, and added that people with disabilities must have a chance to go in for sports.
The president recognised that problems in Russia’s Paralympics development cannot be solved overnight, “but we are ready to act persistently and consistently in order to involve regions and local authorities in our work.”
The Paralympic Games will run from August 29 through September 9.
The Russian team will compete in 12 sports. In 2008 Beijing edition, Russia finished eighth in the medals tally with 18 gold, 23 silver and 22 bronze.