East Kazakhstan Athletes from the Rio Olympics Arrive in Ust-Kamenogorsk
Despite the early morning and it being a public holiday, a large crowd gathered at the airport, where the flight carrying Olympic medalist Olga Rypakova was about to land. Most of those present were current and former athletes who know firsthand the challenges of professional sports and the immense effort it takes just to qualify for the Olympics—let alone compete there.
Olga Rypakova, Ekaterina Smirnova, Denis Ulanov, Evgeny Labutov, Irina Smolnikova, and Elina Mikhina emerged from the doorway to the sound of an unpolished but sincere chant: “Our Olga Rypakova is always ready for new victories.” The residents of Ust-Kamenogorsk had been practicing this chant right there at the airport doors before the plane arrived.
The main hero of the Games, Olga Rypakova, stepped out to the crowd with her son, Kirill, who, like his mother, raised his arms in a victory sign. We hope this won’t be the last time.
“I am so happy to finally be back on my native East Kazakhstan soil,” said Olga Rypakova. “After the Olympics, I participated in more competitions, so the journey home was long and much anticipated. Many thanks to all the fans who supported us. We received an incredible amount of support. Our success would not have been possible without you.”
Zhaqsylyq Omar, Deputy Akim (Governor) of the East Kazakhstan Region, also highlighted the achievements of the renowned athlete: “Olga Rypakova has become one of the world’s most famous female athletes by winning medals at two consecutive Olympic Games,” Deputy Akim Zhaqsylyq Omar said in his speech. “Out of the entire Kazakhstan national athletics team, she was the only one to secure a bronze medal.”
Later, the motorcade with the athletes headed to the Metallurgists’ Palace of Culture, where young fellow athletes were eager to see them. Naturally, the 2012 Olympic Champion “drowned” in flowers for the second time that morning as welcoming speeches were made. However, the highlight of this stop was a massive selfie featuring all the celebrated athletes alongside the fans and sports enthusiasts gathered there.
Source: yk.kz
