On August 15, 2012, a festive mood reigned in the Moscow Kremlin. On this day, the prize-winners and winners of the XX Summer Games held in London were honored. Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated and awarded the Olympians.
Our country in London took fourth place in the overall team event. The athletes brought 24 gold medals, 26 silver and 32 bronze medals. But more Olympians were invited to the Kremlin to be honored, since the bulk of the medals were won in team competitions.
In the first half of the day, the head of the presidential administration of the Russian Federation, Sergei Ivanov, held a ceremony of congratulating the bronze and silver medalists. In the evening, Putin awarded the winners with the Order of Merit to the Fatherland, IV degree, Honor and Friendship. They were awarded to 48 athletes and their coaches. The President thanked everyone for their skill, striving for victory, and firmness of character. He said that the athletes represented our country with honor at the main sporting events in the world this year. He also asked the champions to visit schools in their cities on the Day of Knowledge and talk about their achievements and victories. After all, this is a great example for schoolchildren. In addition, it will be interesting for students to communicate with their idols, whom they watched from TV screens throughout the Olympics. In conclusion, Putin thanked everyone and wished the champions health, happiness and sports longevity.
It was also noted that all winners and champions will be congratulated and presented with gifts in the regions from which they came. At the end of the official part on Vasilyevsky Spusk, all 130 athletes of the London Olympic Games received new Audi cars, a specially produced Olympic series, as an award. Thus, 47 Audi A6 cars were presented for bronze, 35 Audi A7 Sportbacks for silver medals, and 48 Audi A8s for the highest award. Those who, due to their age, do not yet have a driver's license, the drivers hired for this occasion were taken to their homes, to receive congratulations from friends and relatives.
