President of Russia Vladimir Putin met Russia's Athens 2004 winners and medallists in the Grand Kremlin Palace's St George Hall yesterday. Russian athletics was represented by 26 athletes.
Vladimir Putin said in particular, "The Russian team's achievements in Athens have now become part of world sporting history. Of course, it is not possible to name everyone here, but I cannot but mention the World record set by Yelena Isinbayeva in the Pole Vault, Yuriy Borzakovsky's strong and spectacular finish in the 800 metres and Denis Nizhegorodov's achievement (silver, and Aleksey Voyevodin, bronze) in the 50km walk, which once again confirmed Russia's leadership in this most beautiful discipline".
Russian Federation website
