30 Nizhny Novgorod athletes and coaches were awarded a medal in honor of the 800th anniversary of the city

They're not just athletes. They are known all over the world. In the piggy bank of everyone there are many awards and medals. Now they also have such a medal.. Jubilee to the 800th anniversary of Nizhny Novgorod. And they were presented by the head of the city Yuri Shalabayev.

Yuri Shalabaev - Mayor of Nizhny Novgorod: “Huge demand for a healthy lifestyle. You, probably, you know it better than me. I felt it during the preparation of the city for the 800th anniversary, within the framework of the improvement of spaces, when residents everywhere ask to place either a workout, or a sports ground, repair a hockey rink. I'm glad, that we have so many sports enthusiasts in our city, of people, sports lovers, physical education. Sure, what we, together with you we will develop this theme ".

Among the awarded athletes are Olympic champions, champions of Europe and the world. Despite his many sporting achievements and worldwide recognition, they all continue to train, and at the end of his career - to train in his hometown.

Artyom Pashporin - Master of Sports in Muay Thai, world and European champion in muay thai: "Very nice, that we are remembered in our hometown, we are always met: with a victory, defeat - it doesn't matter. They are always waiting for us here, very nice, that celebrate our victories ".

Mikhail Dorinov - Master of Sports in Swimming, member of the Russian national swimming team: “Here is a native coach, native pool, a family, girl - everything. I see, how the city has changed. I like it myself, nice to be in the city, see, how does he change, and I am very pleased, that I was honored with this ".

Ivan Konovalov – Master of Sports of Russia in Orienteering, Deputy Chairman of the public Nizhny Novgorod regional organization of disabled people "Invatur" in sports: “This is also a significant award for me, because this is still a huge contribution in Nizhny Novgorod to the development of Paralympic sports. There are more and more of us guys now. We actively participate and go to the Championship of Russia. Hope, that we will develop even further and try to continue at the Paralympics ".

Among the awardees – representatives of the famous sports dynasty Koptyukhov-Sadovyh, brought up Olympic champion Natalya Sadova.

Natalia Sadova - Honored Master of Sports in Athletics, Olympic champion: “I am the director of the sports school of the Olympic reserve. After sports she stayed in sports, only in the management team. We try to help athletes, improve their results. I was born here, increased, my parents are here, my family is here, everything is mine here, this is my city".

In total, Yuri Shalabaev awarded 30 athletes. By the way, the medal itself was established by a presidential decree specifically in honor of the city's eight hundredth anniversary.