Penza, 7 October 2016. PenzaNews. Honoring of the champions and winners of the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro took place in Penza on Friday, October 7.

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At the beginning of the event, the participants watched highlights of Penza athletes’ performances at the Olympics.

Addressing the audience, the governor of the Penza region, Ivan Belozertsev stressed that the region's residents are proud of worthy performance of the Russian team at the Olympics-2016.

“Today, the politics, unfortunately, came into sports, [...] and our President [Putin] and Olympic Committee fought to make our team a part of the Olympic Games. [...] I can imagine how hard it was for you [...] We are proud that you represented our Penza region. We are proud that you became winners of the Olympic Games. [...] This is the example for our youth, for our children, who only begin their sports life,” the head of the region said.

Then he handed the winners of Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games the Order “For Services to the Penza region” of the II degree and certificates for money remuneration.

So, Denis Ablyazin, who won silver in the team all-around artistic gymnastics, as well as silver and bronze in the vault and rings, respectively, was awarded the certificate for 2.5 million rubles.

Anastasia Bliznyuk, who won first place in group exercises in rhythmic gymnastics, will receive a cash payment of 1.5 million rubles.

3 million rubles will be directed to gymnast Aliya Mustafina, who won gold on the bars, silver as part of the national women's team and bronze in the individual all-around.

In addition, the coach of Aliya Mustafina and Denis Ablyazin Sergey Starkin also receive the Order and a certificate.