Putin honours Paralympic medalists, awards Order of Friendship

New Delhi: An emotional and rare video of Russian President Vladimir Putin is rapidly going viral on social media, in which he is seen kneeling down to honor Paralympic gold medalist Ivan Golubkov. This ceremony, held in honor of the athletes who delivered stellar performances at the 2026 Winter Paralympics in Milano-Cortina, Italy, has captured the attention of the entire world.

Putin Kneels and Presents the Order of Friendship

During this special event held in Moscow, Putin bestowed the prestigious Order of Friendship upon Paralympic skier Ivan Golubkov. As Putin bent down to pin the medal on him, the moment was captured on camera and quickly hailed across the internet as an unmissable sight. Social media users have been reacting to the video in various ways; while some dubbed him the "Gentleman of Moscow," others commented that "strong people know when to bow."

A Historic Return of the Russian Flag Amidst Sanctions

This campaign proved historic for the Russian Paralympic delegation in several respects. For the first time in over a decade—and despite international sanctions—Russian athletes competed under their national flag and anthem. Praising the athletes' discipline and competitive spirit, President Putin remarked that their achievements were far more impressive than those of the sporting world's traditional superpowers. The Miracle of 6 Athletes: Third Place in the Medal Tally

This time, Russia fielded a small delegation of just six athletes, who competed in Alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, and para-snowboarding. Despite such a small squad, Russia secured third place in the medal tally—an achievement that sports experts have hailed as incredible.

Honors for Coaches and Other Athletes as Well

Putin signed official decrees to honor not only Golubkov but also athletes such as Baguyan, Bugaev, and Voronchikhina, as well as their guide, Sergei Sinyakin. The entire team—including coaches Irina Gromova and Alexander Nazarov, who were instrumental in this success—was lauded for their contributions.