Transcript of the conversation:

Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, guys! Today is International Disabled Persons Day. Now I would like to talk to you about what we have done in preparation for the Paralympics – for you, actually. I’d like to inform you about what we plan to do here in the near future. Paralympians achieve the kind of results that are the pride of the country, and I can say without a doubt that all Russia is talking about it.

We have a government programme for the rehabilitation of people with disabilities – it is, of course, a weighty endeavour, but we will achieve it all and implement the entire programme. As for sports, we are attempting to adapt all of our federal centres in order to ensure convenient access to facilities. What are we talking about? Making the facilities easy to use, so that while you’re there, you do not have to deal with any additional burdens that could get in the way of your training. The first adaptations were done on this facility. I hope it is convenient for you?

Answer: Very! We are very grateful.

Vladimir Putin: Next is Lake Krugloye, near Moscow.

Remark: There's a wonderful facility there. We train there.

Vladimir Putin: There too? It’s the second ‘doozie’. And we are building a separate centre in December in the Tula Region. This will be a special centre for Paralympic athletes. But I don’t think that’s enough in a country as big as ours. We will negotiate with the leaders of the Russian regions to establish a special centre for people with disabilities in each constituent entity of the Federation and, of course, for the Paralympians who train in the regions. I think it is very important. And we are doing the first such project with Bashkortostan.

Remark: There are very good facilities and good athletes there.

Vladimir Putin: There are basically good facilities, and the republic's leadership is very responsive to these appeals. The project will follow 40:60 financing – and we are there to build good facilities. We will do so throughout the country. So I very much hope that soon we will all see its influence on your results – although they are already wonderful – and that you'll see it during the training process.

Remark: There are steps forward and shifts – that's the same Krugloye. I'm from Ufa, and I give special thanks to Yevgeny Yemelyanov, Director of Advanced Sporting Excellence of the Republic of Bashkortostan, and the leadership of the republic.

Vladimir Putin: I know they are trying really hard. The republic's leadership – everyone from the top brass down – are treating it very carefully.

Remark: Mr Putin, I have worked here for 16 years training with Paralympians as a doctor for the Russian national track team. I want to say that the conditions that have been created in Sochi are ideal for track. We have people with motor problems training, as well the hearing-impaired, visually impaired, and those with intellectual disabilities. And the conditions are just perfect. But, considering that the number of competitors is increasing, the facilities need to expand. The ideal stadium, perfect conditions. But we are already “overflowing.”

Vladimir Putin: Yes, it is not enough, I understand.

Remark: It is good in Krugloye, but it’s a facility for other sports. Here it is best for track. We can train in all seasons, and everything – accommodations, living conditions, food – is perfect.

Vladimir Putin: Well, in the Tula Region – there will be not only a specialised centre for Paralympic athletes, but facilities for all sports – winter and summer.

Remark: We have winter and summer facilities here. Some guys still think it's September on New Year’s.

Vladimir Putin: I've had similar thoughts: yesterday, I was in Switzerland and there was snow, but it's 17-18 degrees here!

Remark: We are very grateful! We were talking about how great the idea is to build facilities here...

Vladimir Putin: We renovated them. Several years ago, the picture was very sad indeed, if anyone has been here before.

Remark: ... which are accessible for athletes, with great room and board.

Vladimir Putin: You're a champion – I can see it straight away by your interests!

Vitaly Mutko: Here, Mr Putin, is the second stage. Just behind the stadium  – the vacant lot that we showed you. It will be a multi-purpose hall. Already this year, we began to design it, and we will build it quickly in the next year and a half. This will be an enclosed hall and there will be year-round wrestling and physical training for team sports. Behind the podium will be a rehabilitation centre – a 25 metre pool and an entire facility. Then we will proceed to the stadium, where we will demolish the stands. The second stage is not far from here, and we plan on using it for all kinds of throwing, cycling, and shooting.

Vladimir Putin: When do you plan to start?

Vitaly Mutko: We will start late this year and work on the two facilities simultaneously. Funds have now been allocated to the project.

Vladimir Putin: How much is the total funding?

Vitaly Mutko: Total funding, Mr Putin, will basically cost us around 400 million roubles. One hall will cost somewhere in the region of 100-120 million, as will the second one along with the design work.

Remark: Given that treatment, it’s impossible not to become a champion.

Vladimir Putin: You're already champions. Thanks, guys!

Facility Manager (introducing one of the Paralympians): This is an Honoured Master of Sports, a silver medallist of the Paralympic Games.

Vladimir Putin: In what year?

Remark: In the year 2000. A world record holder in the pentathlon.

Vladimir Putin: What is your personal best?

Remark: 12 metres, 15 centimetres, 4 kilograms. Now we are training with heavier projectiles – 6 kg.

Vladimir Putin: Those are heavyweight?

Remark: Yes, the five and six. This one is five kilograms, and that one is six.

Remark: I can tell, since we have already met here, that this is probably the only place in Russia today where we can train. (We are from Omsk, where it is already minus 30 degrees). That effort means all the more as we prepare for the World Cup, but it’s also due to the fact that a special value is attached to the Paralympic movement – a positive one, I think...

Vladimir Putin: Yes, we provided a good impetus.

Remark: Yes, it was very strong. And in this regard, all types come here today. You see fencing, track – blind and locomotor patients. We already are running out of space.

Vladimir Putin: We have development plans for this place. The minister just reported on it. And then, I told the guys out there that in December, we will commission a brand new stadium specialised for both winter and summer sports near Tula.

Remark: We are from Omsk, and we would like facilities built for the Russian national team not only in Aleksino, but somewhere in Siberia.

Vladimir Putin: First we agreed on a Siberian facility. Think about the region and its development. And as for Paralympic sports, we addressed that just now – we will negotiate with the administration in each constituent entity of the Federation. We will allocate some funding and the constituent entity will contribute the rest. And we will build facilities for Paralympic athletes in each area.

Remark: It would be great – especially if a Paralympic training centre were established in Omsk. Over the past three Olympic cycles, we were awarded 14 medals and three of them were gold.

Vladimir Putin: That is what is known as an outstanding achievement, without any exaggeration.

Remark: Thanks for the Kislovodsk facility – for giving us the facility in Kislovodsk. Thank you very much.

Vladimir Putin:  Do you like it?

Remark: It just needs to be completed.

Vladimir Putin: Well, of course. But do you like the place?

Remark: Of course, very much! It just needs some follow-through.

Vladimir Putin: We don't have such a facility in the midlands.

Remark: An arena needs to be built in order to train in the winter out there.

Vitaly Mutko: In Saransk, we're building...

Remark: The facility in Saransk is a matter of course. In Saransk, there is currently a 400-metre arena – an indoor football and athletics stadium.

Vitaly Mutko: Just think – football and track and field! Here in this programme, in which we have included 11 football arenas, we decided to build a stadium. Maybe you won’t have to come here anymore in the winter?

Remark: No, we will. Such a wonderful centre!

Vladimir Putin: There's just a different climate here. Our midlands are just gorgeous.

Remark: We need to do the midlands. We have no facilities at all there.

Vladimir Putin: We'll do it.

Remark: Thank you.

Vladimir Putin: Thank you very much for the results. And a big hello to all the guys.

Remark: May I congratulate you upon yesterday! It was a great day for all of us in Russian sports!

Vladimir Putin: Yes, thank you.

Remark: Everyone loves to play football from childhood.

Vladimir Putin: It's true. But I must say that we chose the right angle for our application.

Remark: We understood that right away...

Vladimir Putin: Yesterday, reporters asked me, “How is it that Russia wins all the major competitions? How do you do that?”

Remark: That means that Russia is strong and becoming stronger. That’s the most important thing.

Remark: With such real men!

Vladimir Putin: Well, the strategy was also correct, because our competitors assaulted FIFA members, and entire smear campaigns were launched against our application. And not only did we refuse to take part in it, but on the contrary, we actually came to their defence.

Remark: We especially liked when you joked with Abramovich about helping out. We can congratulate you all on behalf of athletes.

Vladimir Putin: Thank you very much! And all the best to all of you!

Remark: Thank you very much! Goodbye!