Russian Skater Named Team Ambassador for Tokyo 2020

(ATR) One of the world’s top figure skaters will serve as an ambassador for the Russian team to the Tokyo Olympics.

Evgenia Medvedeva, 19, was named to the honorary post during a press conference in Moscow. Medvedeva, who won the silver medal at the PyeongChang Olympics is also a two-time world champion.

Russia Olympic Committee President Stanislav Pozdnyakov said Medvedeva deserves recognition for her speeches last year to the IOC. She urged the IOC to reinstate the ROC and its athletes after suspension due to the doping scandal.

The IOC apparently was convinced, voting to allow the return of Russian athletes to the Olympics after severe limitations in Rio and Pyeongchang.

"It so happened that Evgenia Medvedeva has been destined to have close ties with the Olympic movement in Russia over the past few years. Evgenia gave a speech at the IOC Executive Committee in December 2017, defending the right of our athletes to participate in the Olympic Games in South Korea," Pozdnyakov notes.

"Then, during the Games in Pyeongchang, having become a two-time silver medalist, on the penultimate day of the Games, with dignity, courage and charm, she again persuaded the representatives of the InternationalOlympic Committee for the need to officially reinstate Team Russia," says the ROC leader, an Olympic champion in fencing.

"I can confidently say that Evgenia is highly respected by our fellow colleagues from international sports organizations not only as an outstanding athlete, but also as a wonderful person, a true diplomat who is trusted and believed.

"Therefore, I believe that her appointment is ideally suited for the role of Ambassador of the Russian Olympic team. Moreover, the Games will be held in Tokyo, and Medvedeva’s popularity in Japan is extremely high. Besides, Evgenia is a cheerful, sociable and well-rounded person whose positive energy will be useful for every Russian athlete," Pozdnyakov said at a press conference.

"It is a great honor for me to become the ambassador of Team Russia," says Medvedeva.

"The Games in South Korea last year gave us all unforgettable emotions that are still vivid in our memories. The upcoming Games of the Summer Olympics in Japan are a great chance for our summer sports athletes to prove themselves, to compete for Olympic medals and the honor of Russia," she says.

Medvedeva, who lives and trains in Toronto, said her new duties would not impact her work preparing for the upcoming season. She would be one of the early favorites to medal in the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.

Reported by Ed Hula.