Ufa Welcomes Bashkortostan’s Heroes: 2010 Winter Paralympics Champions Back Home

On March, 24th Ufa welcomed Bashkortostan’s heroes with flowers, wall banners and a storm of applause. Irek Zaripov, Kirill Mikhailov and Irek Mannanov who brought the Russian team 7 out of 12 gold medals at the 2010 Winter Paralymic Games in Vancouver came back home.
All in all, the cross-country skiing and biathlon champion of the 2010 Paralympic Games in Vancouver Irek Zaripov won four gold medals and one silver medal and the biathlon winner Kirill Mikhailov brought Russia three gold and two silver medals. The veteran of the Bashkortostan’s team Irek Mananov who won no medals at these Paralympics contributed greatly by his invaluable experience and positive moral attitude.
We are proud of the results shown by our sportsmen, the Minister of youth policy, sports and tourism of Bashkortostan Republic Aleksandr Nikerin was quoted as saying. These are the people who through their courage and commitment deserve all the attention we give them now.
The Honorable masters of sports of the Russian Federation Irek Zaripov and Kirill Mikhailov have been rewarded with the Order of Merit for Country of the IV degree according to decree of the President of Russia Dmitriy Medvedev.
Moreover, Irek Zaripov has been appointed Ambassador of Russia’s first ever Paralympic Games which will take place in Sochi in 2014.