The message reads, in part:
“This is your Paralympic debut, and right from the start, you achieved impressive results by beating prominent competitors, making it all the way to the finals and winning the honorary Paralympic silver. Strong qualities of true athletes, mastery and teamwork skills made it possible for you to withstand an intense competition. I am sure that the future has many new achievements and victories in most prestigious competitions in store for you.”
The 2014 Paralympics in Sochi were the first for Russia’s national sledge hockey team.