Official website of the President of Russia

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Vladimir Putin made a telephone call to outstanding sports figure Vitaly Smirnov to wish him a happy birthday.

Vitaly Smirnov, honorary president of the Russian Olympic Committee and honorary member of the International Olympic Committee, turned 90 on February 14.

The President also sent a message of greetings to Vitaly Smirnov. The message reads, in part:

“Your eventful professional journey is a vivid example of selfless service to sport and the Fatherland. During long years of work in the International Olympic Committee and in the top management of the ROC, you have made a huge and truly invaluable contribution to the development of the Olympic movement, strengthening its fundamental principles and values, always firmly and uncompromisingly defending the ideals of fair sporting competition and the legitimate rights and interests of athletes. I would like to emphasise your, without exaggeration, selfless, titanic efforts in preparing and holding the 1980 Moscow Olympics, the XXII Olympic and XI Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi, and other prestigious competitions held in our country.

Such fruitful organisational, creative and highly-demanded activity deserves the deepest recognition. And of course, taking this opportunity, I once again congratulate you on being awarded the title of Hero of Labor.”