Vladimir Putin presented awards to outstanding Russians for various achievements.
During the award ceremony, the head of state told who his mother admired.
As the Russian president shared with those present, Maria Ivanovna's idol was two-time Olympic hockey champion Boris Mikhailov. Earlier on Thursday, the president presented him with the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, 2nd degree.
My family was far from sports, RIA Novosti quotes Vladimir Putin as saying.
At the same time, he was always surprised by the fact that his mother admired such a person, although he was the only one who regularly played sports.
However, due to this fact, the Russian president always feels proud when he presents awards to outstanding Russians, as he did at the awards ceremony that took place in the Kremlin on December 12.
The head of state clarified that he was talking about Alexandra Pakhmutova, as well as Russian hockey players who have been symbols of Russia for decades.
Author: Irina Tint
