Putin voices support to Russian Paralympic team

MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday wished a success to the Russian Paralympic team, which will leave for London within days to take part in the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

"Your every victory and your every success deserves deep respect. We will always support you with all our heart," Putin said at a meeting with more than 270 athletes and sports staff.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin (R) poses for a picture as he meets with members of the Russian Paralympic national team at the Kremlin in Moscow, Aug 20, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

The president admitted that competitions in London will not be easy for the Russian players, but he stressed the Russian national team's performance was always stable.

Meanwhile, Putin promised the government "will continue to focus on Paralympics development," adding that people with disabilities must have a chance to go in for sports.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin (R) meets with members of the Russian Paralympic national team at the Kremlin in Moscow, Aug 20, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

The president recognized that problems in Russia's Paralympics development can not be solved overnight, "but we are ready to act persistently and consistently in order to involve regions and local authorities in our work."

The 2012 London Paralympic Games will run from Aug 29 through Sept 9. The Russian Paralympic team will compete in 12 sports.

In 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games, the Russian team, which had set the target of making the top ten, finished the Paralympics at the eighth place, with 18 gold, 23 silver and 22 bronze medals.