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http://en.rian.ru/sports/20120131/171049983.htmlPutin Congratulates Victorious PlushenkoRussian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin congratulated figure skating star Evgeny Plushenko on Tuesday on his victory in the European Championships.
Plushenko returned from a long break due to injuries and a ban last week, winning his seventh European title with a scintillating tango in the free skate.
“You worked through the free program with brilliance and climbed with confidence to the top step of the European podium," said Putin, who is widely expected to return to the Kremlin for a third term as president in March elections.
“I know that it really wasn’t easy for you, a lot happened that you had to overcome. But a gold won in a difficult contest is even more valuable and precious," Putin said in the telegram.
“In Sheffield you proved yourself once again: Sporting success chooses only the most talented, the most motivated and the strongest in spirit.”
The performance vindicated Plushenko’s decision to return to international competition for the first time since winning silver at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics; with the aim of representing Russia at the country’s first Winter Games in Sochi in 2014.
Plushenko has said he will pass up the potential next stage in his comeback, the March world championships in Nice, France, to get much-needed surgery on his left knee in Munich. The ligament damage had the six-time world champion in constant pain during the European Championships.
“I think when I’m gonna be healthy I can skate even better,” Plushenko said after his victory.
He had been absent from the international circuit since Vancouver due to a disqualification over a breach of amateur competition rules and various injuries.
He received special dispensation from skating authorities to take part in Sheffield after failing to accrue enough points in competition this season.
The results bring Russia's medal haul at the championships to seven after a podium sweep in the pairs on Thursday and a silver and bronze in Friday's ice dance.