The message reads, in part:
“We have lost a man who was talented, full of purpose, dedicated to his work, and a true professional. His exceptional capacity for hard work, sense of responsibility, and desire to make a real personal contribution to developing the best traditions in Russian sport earned him great respect”.
Leonid Gart became head of the Russian Luge Federation in June 2010, and over the next two years did much to develop the sport in Russia, in particular, working on the reconstruction of the luge track in Paramonovo, which Mr Putin, then Prime Minister, visited in February 2012. Mr Gart took part in the meeting that Mr Putin held on that occasion and discussed with him a number of relevant matters.