During an official trip to Sochi, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin visited the South Federal Athletic Training Centre, also known by its shortened name of Yug Sport, or South Sport. The prime minister also attended an exhibition showcasing the expansion plans for the Yug Sport centre, which will be financed through a targeted federal programme to support fitness and sports.
In the centre's treatment and rehabilitation facilities, prime minister met an athlete who was using the centre's one-of-a-kind sports medicine equipment, in this case a shockwave therapy machine.
"I have suffered from a chronic injury for five years. It just won't heal," said the athlete.
Putin asked whether the shockwave therapy had been beneficial, to which the athlete replied that he had felt the positive effects immediately after the first procedure. The prime minister expressed his own desire to try the technology. He also visited the cryotherapy room.
During his tour of the Yug Sport training facilities, Putin spoke with a judoka, or practitioner of judo, who was practicing the body drop. After watching the exercise several times, the prime minister attempted it himself. Putin also met biathlon and cross-country skiing Paralympic champion Irek Zaripov. "I understand we need to win in Sochi," he said to the prime minister. "You need to come out on top," Putin replied.
The Yug Sport centre includes a central stadium with 10,000 seats, a weightlifting centre, a treatment and rehabilitation facility, a yacht club and a hotel. The centre hosted 59 teams in 15 sports in 2009, and at other times is used by students at special athletic schools.