Source Photo: http://premier.gov.ru/eng/
Unofficial translation from Russian
To the Member-Federations of the European Judo Union
Dear friends!
I congratulate you with New Year 2011.
The outgoing year was successful for the European judoka who with dignity performed during the main international competitions.
I am glad to stress that all the 2010 tournaments were remarkable for performance, high organizational level, skills of the participants and truly enormous quantity of spectators. It means that the popularity of our sport is invariably growing; world veteran movement is getting stronger. But what is more important – youth is joining Judo.
In this regard I would like to mention the new scaled and relevant initiative – creation of the EJU Training Centre (London 2012). Within the framework of this project eight sports centres will be organized in 2011 – in Austria, Czech Republic – Hungary, Russia, Belarus, France, Great Britain, Italy and Spain.
I am sure that the implementation of the idea to create common, solid team of sportsmen and coaches will help the European athletes to successfully struggle for the highest awards of the forthcoming Olympic Games in London.
Once again from the bottom of my heart I would like to wish you Happy New Year, health and, of course, bright, spectacular victories in the forthcoming 2011!
Sincerely yours,
Vladimir Putin.