It’s not often that a world leader can match an Olympic champion in their knowledge of that particular sport. But that is exactly what happened when President Vladimir Putin of Russia met with Olympic champion Kayla Harrison in Moscow this week.
Moscow, Russia: August 2, 2012 is a day that Kayla Harrison would never forget for the most obvious reasons. Her memorable win, the American national anthem resonating across the arena and the tears in her eyes at becoming the first American female judoka to win a gold medal at the Olympics. It is a memory that is etched clear in her mind.
It turns out that the most high-profile live witness of the whole event has not forgotten how that day panned out. And for Harrison, there was great delight in being able to recount her most memorable day with President Putin.
“He was very knowledgeable and a gracious host. We spoke about London and how he was in the stands the day I won and about judo in the United States and judo in Russia and some of my friends on the Russian team who he knows,” said Harrison after meeting with the Russian president in Moscow this past Tuesday. Harrison was in the Russian capital for the inaugural World Olympians Forum, where she represented the International Judo Federation.
“Well of course for me it's an honor to represent judo and especially in front of such dignitaries as were present at this forum. It was a very exciting event and I was glad to take part and see all the change and growth that the world Olympic association is undergoing. To be even a small part of such change is a gratifying feeling,” expressed Harrison, who also attended the IOC Athletes Forum at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland earlier this month. Not just a champion but also a role model for young athletes worldwide, she was succinct in summarizing the import of her meeting with President Putin, who is a black belt in judo and the Honorary President of the International Judo Federation.
“As for meeting President Putin- it was a pleasure for me and something I'm sure I won't forget for a long time. It was definitely the highlight of the event for me because once again it proves that sport and judo especially knows no boundaries and that sport is above all including politics.”
Currently recovering from a minor injury, Harrison had to pull out of the recently concluded Paris Grand Slam 2015 at the very last minute. However, she is intent on returning for the rest of the season before heading into a short break for her efforts directed at the Olympics in Rio next year. And she could very well be training for that in completely unfamiliar surroundings.
“He (President Putin) invited me to come to train in Russia and I'm hoping to make that possible because I know how successful the Russian team is,” concluded Harrison at the end of a trip that she couldn’t help sharing the details-of on all her social media channels, much to the delight of her many followers.
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