Vladimir Putin congratulated Russian athletes on their success at the IWAS World Games in Sochi ©IWAS

Vladimir Putin has met with the athletes that represented Russia at the 2015 International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS) World Games in Sochi. 

Having won a total of 319 medals during the Games, including 121 golds, 104 silvers and 94 bronzes, host nation Russia convincingly topped the medal table. 

China were second with 25 golds, 18 silvers and 13 bronzes, while Poland were third with 10 golds, nine silvers and 13 bronzes. 

The country's President Putin congratulated the athletes on their emphatic victory in the competition and wished them success in their preparations for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, which are scheduled to take place from September 7 to 18.

Putin also listened to the wishes of the athletes and assured that necessary assistance would be given to address these.

Swimmer Dmitry Grigoriev, who won multiple medals at the Games, addressed Putin and said that he and his fellow Russian athletes would do all they could to ensure another successful competition at next year's Paralympics. 

Russian swimmer Dmitry Grigoriev, who won multiple medals at the 2015 IWAS World Games, addressed the athletes
Russian swimmer Dmitry Grigoriev, who won multiple medals at the 2015 IWAS World Games, addressed the athletes ©IWAS

As part of the event, Putin signed the official banner of the 2015 IWAS World Games and was photographed with Russian athletes, coaches and staff.

Among those also in attendance at the meeting was Russian Presidential aide Igor Levitin, Russia's Minister of Sport Vitaly Mutko and President of the Russian Paralympic Committee, Vladimir Lukin.

More than 800 athletes from 34 countries took part in the Games with the sport programme consisting of athletics, archery, arm sport, swimming, table tennis and taekwondo.

During the Games, the IWAS General Assembly was also held where it was decided that the Under-23 edition of the World Games will be held in the Czech Republic next year, while Oleg Boyko was appointed as an IWAS Development Committee member.

He was made a member as a result of his commitment to developing the Paralympic Movement through the Paralympic sports support foundation he founded, called "Parasport". 



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