Russian Olympic winners to get state awards

Moscow, Aug 15 (IANS/RIA Novosti): Members of Russia’s Olympic team will meet President Vladimir Putin to receive state awards Wednesday, the Kremlin press service said.

More than 170 people, including 82 athletes, as well as coaches and sports officials, have been invited to attend the ceremony in the the Alexander Hall of the Great Kremlin Palace.

The president will bestow the “Order For Merit to the Fatherland”, the “Order of Honor” and the “Order of Friendship” on gold medal winners.

Russia won 82 medals — 24 gold, 26 silver and 32 bronze — at the 2012 London Olympics, more than during the previous Games in Beijing.