The airport welcomed the heroes with music and a sea of flags. Mikhail Shaidorov was the first to walk off the plane, and the hall erupted in heartfelt applause. Some of those greeting him couldn’t hold back their tears when the figure skater took the microphone. His first words were “ I’m at home.”

He didn’t speak for a long, but every word came from the heart. Mikhail admitted that he felt an overwhelming sense of pride for his country when the Flag of Kazakhstan was raised at the Olympic Games. He thanked everyone who had come to welcome him toonight and promised to keep growing so he could continue to bring glory to Kazakhstan.

Apartments for the champions

Mikhail Shaidorov was presented a three-room apartment. Certificates for one-room apartment were also awarded to Alexey Urmanov, team coach Assem Kassanova and figure skater Sofya Samodelkina who set a personal record and finished in Top-10.

Golovkin on heroes and the President’s policy

President of the National Olympic Committee Gennady Golovkin congratulated the athletes and expressed gratitude to their coaches and families who raised the champions, noting that the victory is the result of joint efforts by the Ministry of Sports, the Federation, National Olympic Committee and our President respectively. 

“Be proud - we have gold in figure skating", Golovkin said.

More gold to come

Sofya Samodelkina had previously said that this program was the best of her life. Speaking in Milan after the performance, she said she was fully focused the moment she stepped onto the ice and skated the entire program in one breath.

Already in Astana she admitted that after Mikhail’s gold medal the level of responsibility had increased - but it only inspires her to new achievements. Sofya promised that she would achieve her goal and win gold at the next Olympic Games. No one doubted her success.