Olympic Gold Medal Winners get Honored in Moscow

T. Kosintseva, V. Gunina, N. Kosintseva, A. Kosteniuk

right after getting flowers and iPads gifts

Hi everybody!

As you know the Chess Olympiads in Khanty-Mansiysk just ended 2 days ago, and both teams of Russia got medals (see full rankings of the men and of the women, and see Pufichek's photo album).

Last night we were honored by high government officials, Alexander Zhukov (Russian Deputy Prime Minister), Arkady Dvorkovich (Assistant to the President of Russia) and many more important people. They first read to us a telegram from the President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev congratulating the teams, then gave lots of presents to the winning teams!

Women Team Russia-1: GOLD MEDALS:

Kosintseva Tatiana, Kosintseva Nadezhda, Kosteniuk Alexandra, Galliamova Alisa, and Gunina Valentina.

The Gold medal lady winners got top of the line iPads, Nokia phones, and Vaio laptops, while the men got everything except the iPads. We're all very grateful to the Russian Federation who has made it possible for us all to train hard all year long, providing paid trainers and intensive training sessions before the Olympiads, as well as several Grandmaster coaches during the event itself. Without that support, it would have been much harder to make it to the top.

Note in this photo most of the men & women Russian teams, including Kramnik (far right)

and both politicians Arkady Dvorkovich and Alexander Zhukov

Men Team Russia-1: SILVER MEDALS

Kramnik Vladimir, Grischuk Alexander, Svidler Peter, Karjakin Sergey, Malakhov Vladimir.

Women's team coach Yury Dokhoian, Alexandra Kosteniuk, the sisters Kosintseva and Sergey

Karjakin having a good time eating and playing with the new iPads!

Posted by Alexandra Kosteniuk

Reigning Women's World Chess Champion

Owner of the trademark "Chess Queen™"

www.chessblog.com

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