Putin kneels to present Paralympic champion Golubkov with an order

Footage of Vladimir Putin kneeling while presenting the Order of Friendship to Paralympic champion Ivan Golubkov has once again drawn attention. The ceremony took place at the Kremlin on March 19, 2026.

Footage of Russian President Vladimir Putin kneeling while presenting a state award to Paralympic champion Ivan Golubkov has once again drawn attention. The ceremony took place at the Kremlin on March 19, 2026, when the head of state honored the winners and medalists of the 14th Paralympic Winter Games.

Golubkov, who competes in cross-country skiing in the sitting class, received the Order of Friendship. Putin knelt in front of the athlete, who was seated in a wheelchair, to present him with the award.

“The Games were also victorious for Ivan Yuryevich Golubkov, who twice demonstrated his undisputed leadership in sitting cross-country skiing,” Putin said at the ceremony, recalling that the athlete dedicated his victories to Russia.

Third place in the overall standings

The Paralympic Games were held in Italy from March 6 to 15, 2026. Russia’s team of six athletes and one guide competed in cross-country skiing, alpine skiing and snowboarding, winning 12 medals—eight gold, one silver and three bronze—and finishing third in the overall team standings.

Vladimir Putin with the winners and medalists of the 14th Paralympic Winter Games at the Kremlin

Cross-country skier Anastasia Bagiyan and her guide athlete, Sergei Sinyakin, as well as alpine skiers Varvara Voronchikhina and Alexei Bugaev, were also awarded the Order of Friendship. At the Games in Italy, Russia’s anthem was played at a Paralympic medal ceremony for the first time since 2014.