The regional government decided to pay a cash prize of 7 million rubles to the Tokyo Olympic champion in gymnastics. The athlete's coach Anatoly Olushev was also awarded for preparing the gymnast for the Olympic Games. Oleg Melnichenko announced this at the state awards ceremony on Saturday, August 7, 2021.
Notably that Denis Ablyazin, six-time Olympic medalist, honoured master of sports in gymnastics and winner of multiple international tournaments, became champion and silver medalist of the Olympic Games in Tokyo. The athlete won a gold medal in the team all-around and a silver one in vaulting.
"Denis, we are proud of you," the acting head of the Penza Oblast said at the state awards ceremony.
"The guys performed a miracle. Their parents, coaches and relatives know how hard this victory was achieved. Denis Ablyazin was injured, but nevertheless he won this victory. I know what pressure our athletes went through, being almost deprived of the flag of their country. But still they won," Oleg Melnichenko emphasised.
He congratulated Denis Ablyazin on the well-deserved awards during their personal meeting and noted his courage and willpower shown while getting the Olympic gold and silver medals, despite the serious injuries.
"I know that the awards were won with hard work, through pain and many hours of training every single day" Oleg Melnichenko said. "Probably the biggest feat is to force and step over yourself".
"Of course, the doctors also made a huge work, but I think the patient's perseverance is no less important, because it is very difficult to recover from such injuries — both psychologically and physically," Oleg Melnichenko added.
The gymnast shared his impressions about the recently finished Olympics, paid tribute to his fellow sportsmen of the Russian gymnastics team.
"We have a strong team who performed at the World Cup and the Olympics," the champion explained.
He also touched upon the topic of his rehabilitation after injuries, thanked the doctor and the coach and noted their huge contribution to his victory.
"Now I need to go through a medical examination, have a little rest and start preparing for my fourth Olympic Games," Denis Ablyazin summed up.
