On August 27 at the press centre of MIA Russia Today a joint press conference was held, attended by Stanislav Pozdnyakov, President of the Russian Olympic Committee, 4-time Olympic champion, and Evgenia Medvedeva, 2-time silver medallist of the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, who has become the official Ambassador of the Russian Olympic team at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
Both sides announced the appointment during the course of interviews with journalists, stressing that both the ROC and the athlete herself, view this as a completely new and at the same time very interesting experience of interaction, given the fact that Evgenia remains an active figure-skater and will continue to train comprehensively and perform in the new Olympic season.
Stanislav Pozdnyakov, President of the ROC:
– It so happened that Evgenia Medvedeva has been destined to have close ties with the Olympic movement in Russia over the past few years. Evgenia gave a speech at the IOC Executive Committee in December 2017, defending the right of our athletes to participate in the Olympic Games in South Korea. Then, during the Games in Pyeongchang, having become a two-time silver medallist, on the penultimate day of the Games, with dignity, courage and charm, she again persuaded the representatives of the International Olympic Committee for the need to officially reinstate Team Russia.
On that occasion, in February 2018, we gave speeches at the IOC Executive Committee together, and I can confidently say that Evgenia is highly respected by our fellow colleagues from international sports organisations not only as an outstanding athlete, but also as a wonderful person, a true diplomat who is trusted and believed. Therefore, I believe that her appointment is ideally suited for the role of Ambassador of the Russian Olympic team. Moreover, the Games will be held in Tokyo, and Medvedeva’s popularity in Japan is extremely high. Besides, Evgenia is a cheerful, sociable and well-rounded person whose positive energy will be useful for every Russian athlete.
Evgenia Medvedeva:
– It is a great honour for me to become the Ambassador of Team Russia. The Games in South Korea last year gave us all unforgettable emotions that are still vivid in our memories. The upcoming Games of the Summer Olympics in Japan are a great chance for our summer sports athletes to prove themselves, to compete for Olympic medals and the honour of Russia. I sincerely want to support our athletes in Tokyo and help highlight their performances as much as possible. I am grateful to the Russian Olympic Committee for their trust and such a unique opportunity. I accept it with pride and at the same time I can assure you that the status and mission of the Ambassador of the Russian Olympic team will not interfere with my training process and participation in competitions.
