A formal ceremony was held at the Akorda to honor Mikhail Shaidorov, champion of the XXV Winter Olympic Games, and his coaching staff, El.kz reports NOC.

Addressing the audience, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted that these Olympic Games had become a truly exceptional event for all of Kazakhstan.

“Mikhail Shaidorov’s triumph in men’s figure skating brought Kazakhstan the gold and our sky-blue flag rose high above the Olympic arena. First of all, I want to congratulate and sincerely thank Mikhail, as well as express my gratitude to his father, his coach, and everyone gathered in the Akorda today.

Mikhail’s world recognition is the result of your diligent work and determination! Under your guidance, he became an outstanding athlete and was able to fully reveal his talent. Today, the entire country is proud of Mikhail, who has become a true role model for young people. To become an Olympic champion means to accept a challenge and be ready to go the hardest distance. High achievements are attained only by those who work tirelessly and demonstrate iron discipline”, the Head of State said.

The President emphasized that Mikhail Shaidorov’s victory is a grand achievement in the history of domestic sports.

“First and foremost, this is a historical award that Kazakhstan has been waiting for 32 years. Secondly, this is the first Olympic gold won by domestic figure skaters. Thirdly, the whole world was able to see that there are bright talents in Kazakhstan who worthily continue the glorious path of the famous figure skater Denis Ten.

Mikhail Shaidorov’s brilliant performance at the Olympic Games is a success of historical significance. This is a true triumph created by our compatriot. This is the result of the incredibly hard work of the Olympic champion, his faith in his own strength, and his love for such a complex sport as figure skating”, stated Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev particularly noted the merits of Stanislav Shaidorov, the father and first coach of the Olympic champion.

“Stanislav Alexandrovich is a multiple champion of Kazakhstan in figure skating. As both a father and a first coach, he helped Mikhail take his first steps on the ice and was always by his son’s side during the most difficult moments of life. As Head of State, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to you for such a son - a true patriot who raised the state flag of the Republic of Kazakhstan high at the world’s main sports arena.

I have read your interviews and must admit that you have fulfilled your duty as a loving father with honor and dignity, never doubting the success of the sporting mission of your talented son, Mikhail. Together you have walked a winding path through the thorns to the stars, and today you are deservedly reaping the sweet fruits of persistent labor, receiving words of sincere respect and admiration. You have earned nationwide fame. The people are grateful to you for your true patriotism. I join these heartfelt national feelings of gratitude and respect”, the President stated.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also welcomed the coach of the Olympic champion, 1994 Olympic winner and World Champion Alexei Urmanov. 

“As a major specialist in the field of figure skating, you have raised a more than worthy heir and successor to your great achievements in this sport. Significant contributions to achieving this phenomenal success were made by the relevant ministry, the federation, as well as the National Olympic Committee led by the renowned boxer Gennadiy Golovkin, whose name was recently inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Our compatriots followed the twists and turns of the sporting struggle with great excitement, especially after the complication of Mikhail’s free program, who took a risk and literally snatched victory at the main tournament of humanity. This is also no accident, because not everyone can so successfully use such a possibly unique chance in their life. As ancient wisdom goes, success does not go to the swift, but time and chance happen to them all.

I am sure Mikhail’s triumph has inspired thousands of young Kazakhstanis to take up sports and strengthened their faith that any dreams, even the most seemingly fantastic ones, come true if you show hard work, determination, and unyielding will. Thousands of boys and girls in our country today look at Mikhail Shaidorov with admiration and want to be like him, dreaming of becoming great athletes.

This means that new stars of world sports will certainly appear in our country. The names of all Olympic champions are forever included in the annals of world sports, their achievements are recorded in the International Olympic Committee Museum in Lausanne. Now tourists from various countries visiting this museum will be able to witness Mikhail Shaidorov’s brilliant victory at the 2026 Olympic Games once again”.

For high sporting achievements at the XXV Winter Olympic Games, the Head of the Republic of Kazakhstan awarded Mikhail Shaidorov with the Order of Barys, II degree, and consultant coach Alexei Urmanov with the Order of Dostyk, II degree. The Order of Kurmet was awarded to the head coach of the national figure skating team Asem Kassanova, figure skating coach Stanislav Shaidorov, and the President of the Kazakhstan Figure Skating Union Bauyrzhan Yeraly. 

In turn, Olympic champion Mikhail Shaidorov thanked the Head of State and all Kazakhstanis for their support.

“Dear Kassym-Jomart Tokayev! It is a great honor for me to be here with the status of an Olympic champion. This medal is not only my victory, it is the victory of my parents, my coaches, and all Kazakhstanis who cheered for me, worried, and supported me. This victory is proof that dreams come true when they are backed by painstaking work, effort, love, and the faith of loved ones. Mr. President, the attention you pay to us athletes contributes to great achievements, new stories, and records. 

Olympic gold is not the finale for me. There is a long journey ahead, which I want to walk with responsibility for my country, being an example for the younger generation and continuing to glorify our country to the whole world. I proudly serve my beloved country - Kazakhstan”, Mikhail Shaidorov said.