Vladimir Putin visited a training session held by Russian national team coach and Honoured Coach of Russia Tamara Moskvina, who is currently coaching the Kawaguti-Smirnov pair.

Vladimir Putin expressed his sympathy regarding the disaster in Japan to the Japanese figure skater Yuko Kawaguti, who is competing for Russia.

During a conversation with the coach and athletes, Vladimir Putin asked how preparations for the world championship were going on. Tamara Moskvina said she, as a coach, and all the athletes are happy that Russia will be able to hold the championship at home and lend a helping hand to Japan at the same time.

The Prime Minister also spoke with child figure skaters. Mrs Moskvina said she will train the younger generation for the 2018 Olympic Games.

Responding to Mr Putin's question on whether she could train these kids in time for the Olympics in Sochi, Tamara Moskvina said that experienced and eminent athletes would be competing at the 2014 Olympics.