Putin calls Russia's Paralympics performance a triumph

Russian athletes' performance in the London Paralympic Games has contributed to the entire nation's achievements and was a triumph, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday. The president promised that all players would receive similar awards regardless of what medals they brought back. "This is fair enough that the award fund and the state award will be the same like the Olympics winners received. You deserved it," Putin told the participants of the London Paralympics while giving them awards in the Kremlin. "You have placed our country among the world Paralympic sport leaders," he said. Putin stressed that the athletes' achievements were considered not only as a sports victory but a contribution to Russia's achievements as a nation. He vowed to make Russia a key participant of the Paralympic movement and build Russia a country which guarantees "real equality for all its citizens" and provides barrier-free environment in everyday life, work and education. The 182-member Russian team won 102 medals during the London Paralympics, including 36 gold medals, 38 silver medals, 28 bronze medals. The country took the second place in the table, behind leader China. During the 2008 Beijing Paralympics, Russia earned 18 golds, 23 silvers, and 22 bronzes to finish eighth in the medal tally.