Olympic champion Alina Makarenko awarded title of "Hero of Kalmykia"

Today, Elista solemnly welcomed Olympic champion Alina Makarenko; at the airport, she was greeted by her relatives and friends, young students of the gymnastics school, and journalists. Decree of Alexei Orlov, the leader of the republic, who also greeted the athlete, awarded her with the title of "Hero of Kalmykia".

Let us remind you that on August 12, the Russian national team in rhythmic gymnastics won the first place in the group all-around at the London Olympic Games. Alina Makarenko from Kalmykia was a member of the national team. On August 12, Alexei Orlov signed the Decree on awarding the athlete with the title of "Hero of Kalmykia".

At the short press conference, held at the airport, Alina Makarenko said that after a short break she would start training again. "And at present, after the Olympic Games, I am just happy that everything is over. We went a long way for that, we had been preparing for a very long time, and it was hard. And happiness overflowed us, when the national anthem sounded," the athlete shared her emotions.

For the first time in the history of Kalmykia, three natives of the republic were included in the Olympic national team, and two of them became the winners of the Olympic Games.