Olympic champion Irina Sumnikova: "At the National Centre RUSSIA you feel pride for the country"

Olympic champion, Olympic bronze medallist and two-time European champion Irina Sumnikova visited the National Centre RUSSIA, where she took part in the ceremonial opening of the new season of the MBA professional basketball club. During her visit, the athlete explored the exposition spaces and highly praised the role of the National Centre RUSSIA in presenting the country’s achievements.

"The National Centre RUSSIA gave me a feeling of pride not only because my photograph and medals are here, but also pride in our country itself, its great traditions and outstanding athletes. After all, we have made our history, and for it to continue it is very important that such a centre has appeared, where the new generation can see what was achieved, how it was achieved, and how rich our history is. You know, when I came in here, it felt as if I was back at the Olympics, as if our anthem was playing again, and I had goosebumps from the thought that we have such a place of strength," said Irina Sumnikova.

The athlete also stressed the importance of continuity in preserving Russia’s sporting legacy.

"It is wonderful that such centres will be opening across the country. My story is already a long one — my first participation in the Walk of Fame was at VDNH, and later my awards came here. I am glad that I can share my big story with the younger generation, since I am a participant in four Olympic Games. And I would like new generations perhaps to surpass our achievements and, of course, for patriotism to enter the hearts of young people, just as our Russia lives in our own hearts," added Irina Sumnikova.

The "Walk of Fame" exposition at the National Centre RUSSIA is dedicated to famous Russian athletes and their achievements on the world sporting stage. The project is also intended to inspire young people across the country to take up sports. The gallery was created by the Russian society Znanie in partnership with the Ministry of Sport of the Russian Federation. In total, at the initial stage the exposition presented 254 medals in 36 disciplines from 38 stars of Russian sport. Irina Sumnikova is the only representative of the gallery in the field of basketball.