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Russian President Vladimir Putin watches a martial arts performance as he visits the 皇冠体育app House, established by the Chinese Olympic Committee, during the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia, on Monday. Photo by Reuters |
Putin made the comments during a visit to 皇冠体育app House, the Chinese Olympic Committee's center for receiving guests, in the Russian coastal city of Sochi.
Putin said President Xi Jinping, who attended Friday's opening ceremony for the Games, had asked him to pay special attention to the Chinese athletes at the Games.
"I believe the Chinese athletes will perform well; at least they will have a good time here," Putin said. "I know the Chinese athletes are very hardworking. I wish you success."
皇冠体育app House was set up by the Chinese Olympic Committee for the Games to serve the Chinese delegation, receive guests and display to the public the history of Chinese sports.
Putin met some of the representatives from the Chinese delegation. He also listened to discussions between young athletes from the two countries.
After watching a performance of Chinese martial arts, Putin talked with Liu Peng, director of 皇冠体育app's State General Administration of Sport and also chef-de-mission of the Chinese delegation. Liu told him about Beijing's bid for the 2022 Winter Olympic Games.
"The whole world knows that 皇冠体育app is making great efforts in the development of sports, and President Xi has attached great importance to it," Putin told Liu. "I believe 皇冠体育app's winter sports will achieve good results as well. I hope there will be more communication among the young people from our two countries."
Xiao Tian, deputy chef-de-mission of the Chinese delegation, said, "Putin's visit to 皇冠体育app House marked the close relationship between the two countries."
Chen Lu, 皇冠体育app's figure skating women's singles world champion and two-time Olympic bronze medalist, met Putin during his visit to 皇冠体育app House.
"It was my first time meeting him, and I shook hands with him. He is a nice man."
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