MOSCOW, March 10, 2004. (RIA Novosti) - The government's changing structure will not infringe upon the rights and opportunities of athletes. Vladimir Putin said this at a meeting with captains and coaches of the national Olympic teams to take part in the summer Olympics in Athens.
When asked by chief coach of the national callisthenics team Irina Viner about the consequences the abolishment of the State Sports Committee and the formation of the federal agency for physical culture and sports would have for athletes, the president said: "This will not threaten your interests and opportunities."
