July 21, 2012. Russian President Vladimir Putin speaking at the farewell ceremony held at the Grand Kremlin Palace for the Russian Olympic team prior to their departure for the 2012 London Olympic Games.

21.07.2012#1185483

July 21, 2012. From left: Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko talking with the sportsmen at the farewell ceremony held at the Grand Kremlin Palace for the Russian Olympic team prior to their departure for the 2012 London Olympic Games.

21.07.2012#1185482

July 21, 2012. Russian President Vladimir Putin poses for a photograph with the members of the synchronized swimming team Alexandra Patskevich, Darya Korobova and Alla Shishkina at the farewell ceremony held at the Grand Kremlin Palace for the Russian Olympic team prior to their departure for the 2012 London Olympic Games.

21.07.2012#1185481

July 21, 2012. Russian President Vladimir Putin, center, talking with the sportsmen at the farewell ceremony held at the Grand Kremlin Palace for the Russian Olympic team prior to their departure for the 2012 London Olympic Games. Right: Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko.

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July 21, 2012. Russian President Vladimir Putin, fourth right, talking with the sportsmen at the farewell ceremony held at the Grand Kremlin Palace for the Russian Olympic team prior to their departure for the 2012 London Olympic Games. Second right: Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko.

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July 21, 2012. Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, talking with the sportsmen at the farewell ceremony held at the Grand Kremlin Palace for the Russian Olympic team prior to their departure for the 2012 London Olympic Games.

21.07.2012#1185442

July 21, 2012. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Soviet athlete, world champion and twice Olympic champion Nina Ponomaryova (Romashkova) attending the farewell ceremony held at the Grand Kremlin Palace for the Russian Olympic team prior to their departure for the 2012 London Olympic Games.

21.07.2012#1185441

July 21, 2012. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Soviet athlete, world champion and twice Olympic champion Nina Ponomaryova (Romashkova) attending the farewell ceremony held at the Grand Kremlin Palace for the Russian Olympic team prior to their departure for the 2012 London Olympic Games.

21.07.2012#1185440

July 21, 2012. Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, speaking at the farewell ceremony held at the Grand Kremlin Palace for the Russian Olympic team prior to their departure for the 2012 London Olympic Games.

21.07.2012#1185439

July 21, 2012. Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, speaking at the farewell ceremony held at the Grand Kremlin Palace for the Russian Olympic team prior to their departure for the 2012 London Olympic Games.

21.07.2012#1185438

July 21, 2012. Soviet athlete, world champion and twice Olympic champion Nina Ponomaryova (Romashkova) speaking at the farewell ceremony held at the Grand Kremlin Palace for the Russian Olympic team prior to their departure for the 2012 London Olympic Games.

21.07.2012#1185437

July 21, 2012. Russian President Vladimir Putin speaking at the farewell ceremony held at the Grand Kremlin Palace for the Russian Olympic team prior to their departure for the 2012 London Olympic Games.

21.07.2012#1185436

July 21, 2012. Russian President Vladimir Putin attending the farewell ceremony held at the Grand Kremlin Palace for the Russian Olympic team prior to their departure for the 2012 London Olympic Games.

21.07.2012#1185435

July 21, 2012. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Soviet athlete, world champion and twice Olympic champion Nina Ponomaryova (Romashkova) attending the farewell ceremony held at the Grand Kremlin Palace for the Russian Olympic team prior to their departure for the 2012 London Olympic Games.

21.07.2012#1185434

July 21, 2012. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Soviet athlete, world champion and twice Olympic champion Nina Ponomaryova (Romashkova) attending the farewell ceremony held at the Grand Kremlin Palace for the Russian Olympic team prior to their departure for the 2012 London Olympic Games.

21.07.2012#1185433

July 21, 2012. Russian President Vladimir Putin speaking at the farewell ceremony held at the Grand Kremlin Palace for the Russian Olympic team prior to their departure for the 2012 London Olympic Games.

21.07.2012#1185432

July 21, 2012. Russian President Vladimir Putin speaking at the farewell ceremony held at the Grand Kremlin Palace for the Russian Olympic team prior to their departure for the 2012 London Olympic Games.

21.07.2012#1185431

July 21, 2012. Russian President Vladimir Putin speaking at the farewell ceremony held at the Grand Kremlin Palace for the Russian Olympic team prior to their departure for the 2012 London Olympic Games.

21.07.2012#1185430

July 21, 2012. From left: Chairman of the Board of Directors of the United Shipbuilding Corporation (OSK) JSC Vladimir Lisin, First Deputy Chairman of the Russian State Duma, President of the Russian Olympic Committee Alexander Zhukov and head of the department of Presidential affairs, Vice President of the Russian Olympic Committee Vladimir Kozhin attending the farewell ceremony held at the Grand Kremlin Palace for the Russian Olympic team prior to their departure for the 2012 London Olympic Games.

21.07.2012#1185429

July 21, 2012. Russian President Vladimir Putin attending the farewell ceremony held at the Grand Kremlin Palace for the Russian Olympic team prior to their departure for the 2012 London Olympic Games.

21.07.2012#1185379