President of Russia
  • Events
  • Structure
  • Videos and Photos
  • Documents
  • Contacts
  • Search
  • Search this website
President of Russia
Mobile version

President's
website
sections

  • Events
  • Structure
  • Videos and Photos
  • Documents
  • Contacts
  • Search
  • Search
  • For the Media
  • Subscribe
  • Directory
  • Version for People with Disabilities
  • Русский

President's
website
resources

  • President of RussiaCurrent resource
  • The Constitution of Russia
  • State Insignia
  • Address an appeal to the President
  • Vladimir Putin’s Personal Website

Official Internet Resources
of the President of Russia

  • Telegram Channel
  • Rutube Channel
  • YouTube Channel

Legal
and technical
information

  • About website
  • Using website content
  • Personal data of website users
  • Contact website team

All content on this site is licensed under

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International

Presidential Executive Office2025
Events

Answers to journalists’ questions

At the end of his working trip to Vologda Region Vladimir Putin answered journalists’ questions.

February 17, 2014
21:40
Cherepovets
At the end of his working trip to Vologda Region Vladimir Putin answered journalists’ questions.
At the end of his working trip to Vologda Region Vladimir Putin answered journalists’ questions.
At the end of his working trip to Vologda Region Vladimir Putin answered journalists’ questions.
At the end of his working trip to Vologda Region Vladimir Putin answered journalists’ questions.

Question: Mr President, the Olympics are in full swing, the most exciting events are about to take place, and the President leaves Sochi. Have you lost interest?

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Of course not.

My main objective was to implement this project, to create a year-round world-class modern resort in the south of Russia. The project has been completed with success.

My task was to organise a celebration for people, primarily for sports fans and for the whole country. I think this is happening as well.

Meanwhile, I have other work to do, just like most of my colleagues. It is of course very nice to be in Sochi — I am sure you have seen it for yourselves. The festive atmosphere captures you, but we have to return to our jobs. So, like most of our people, I will have to follow the Games on TV.

I attend the Olympics when I have to for protocol reasons, or when I have the time. I am sure everyone who comes to Sochi and experiences this celebration of sports and the Olympics must feel happy with what they see, what they experience. This concerns both Russian and foreign fans.

Question: Mr President, another question on a different subject. Can’t stay away from the Olympics.

Vladimir Putin: Do you like it?

Question: I do, without any doubt.

Vladimir Putin: I have said several times that I am especially happy about our fans and the volunteers. We should be very proud of them because they are the ones who have created this unique atmosphere for national and foreign athletes, for the fans from all over the world.

Question: I have a question regarding our men’s ice hockey team. We were all disappointed, especially after the match with the Americans. As a fan, what do you think of our team and of that particular game?

Vladimir Putin: You know, disappointment comes from excessive expectations. This is a general rule in life. As for the Olympics: everyone knows that there can’t be any weak players at the Olympic Games, and this is true for all sports, including ice hockey.

Even the teams that are considered outsiders can do miracles and perform in a way nobody ever expected them to. Besides, our athletes have a huge responsibility. This is a heavy burden, but I am convinced that our ice hockey team is not just one of the best; I think it is the best team of the tournament.

I had the opportunity to watch our team and our potential competitors play both live and on TV. We have a very balanced, talented, exciting team capable of the highest achievements. I hope this is what will happen. However, we should not forget that sports is not only about athletes’ skill and courage, but also about luck.

I spoke to one of the players on our team, and I said they have not been very lucky so far: so many shots, but not too many goals scored, even when it looked like a goal. In reply he said, quite rightly, that eventually we will get lucky. We may not be lucky now, but we believe that we will be when it really matters.

Together with him and with all our fans I count on this, as much as I have confidence in our team’s courage and skill. I am very optimistic — I can see they are doing their best, regardless of what some people may say. They display talent and courage on the ice, regardless of problems or injuries. And as for luck – I am sure it will come too.

Question: Who did you talk to?

Vladimir Putin: It’s a secret. I won’t tell you yet. It’s our little secret.

Question: When you were watching the game between Russia and the USA, did you get the impression that the Americans moved the gate?

Vladimir Putin: I believe all our fans thought so.

Remark: Right.

Vladimir Putin: I can’t say what really happened. In any case it is a shame the judges did not notice this earlier, because it is always better for one of the teams to play when the gate has been moved – for the team whose gate was moved, of course, especially as long as the judge does not see it.

Then if the opposite team scores a goal, it can always be disputed, and if there is no goal, you can always count on a successful counterattack. However, even judges make mistakes, so I would not go around labelling anyone. I simply believe that we will always win with a good lead.

Yes, and we have another gold medal – in bobsleigh. Our congratulations to the athletes!

Good-bye.

See also

State Council Presidium meeting on family, motherhood and childhood policy
February 17, 2014
Meeting with employees at Cherepovets Steel Mill
February 17, 2014

Additional

Congratulations to winners of the Olympic bronze medal in ice dancing Elena Ilinykh and Nikita Katsalapov
February 17, 2014
Congratulations to winners of the 2014 Sochi Olympics in bobsleigh Alexander Zubkov and Alexey Voevoda
February 17, 2014

Geography

  • Vologda Region

Topics

  • Sochi 2014
  • Sport

Publication status

Published in sections: News, Transcripts

Publication date: February 17, 2014, 21:40

Direct link: en.kremlin.ru/d/20268

Text version

Text
4
Photo

Share
Direct link
http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/20268
Share
  • VK
  • Telegram
  • Ok
  • Send by email
  • Print
Send by email

Official Website of the President of Russia:

Answers to journalists’ questions

http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/20268

Last updated at March 20, 2015, 18:00

Официальные сетевые ресурсы

Президента России

Official Internet Resources

of the President of Russia

Русский Английский
  • For the Media
  • Version for People with Disabilities
  • Telegram Channel
  • Rutube Channel
  • YouTube Channel
  • Website of the President of Russia
  • State Insignia
  • Address an appeal to the President
  • Vladimir Putin’s Personal Website
  • Putin. 20 years

Presidential Executive Office
2025