“Our country achieved a historic result at the Winter Olympic Games. For the first time, Georgia won Olympic medals in winter sports,” Irakli Kobakhidze, Prime Minister of Georgia, stated during a ceremony awarding state honors to the athletes and representatives of the Georgian Figure Skating Federation.

“I would like to express my special gratitude to Luka Berulava and Anastasia Metelkina, who became silver medalists and Olympic vice-champions. This is a historic achievement for our country,” Kobakhidze said.

The Prime Minister also highlighted other significant successes, including the team’s fourth-place finish in the Olympic team tournament, and congratulated Nika Egadze for becoming European Champion this year, adding another historic victory for Georgia. He noted that Georgian athletes won two out of four sets of medals at the European Championship, a remarkable accomplishment.

Kobakhidze also thanked Anastasia Gubanova, Diana Davis, and Gleb Smolkin for their successful Olympic performances, and highlighted the historic refereeing of Salome Chigogidze, who became the first Georgian referee at the Winter Olympic Games.

“All these results demonstrate that Georgian sport is constantly developing and reaching new heights. These achievements inspire our youth and encourage children to participate in sports and aim for similar high-level successes,” the Prime Minister said.

Kobakhidze expressed the government’s commitment to supporting sports in Georgia. The Prime Minister announced that vice-champions Luka Berulava and Anastasia Metelkina will each receive a cash prize of 500,000 GEL. Additionally, every athlete who obtained an Olympic license and participated in the Winter Olympic Games will receive 50,000 GEL.

“Behind this success is a distinguished team of professionals. I would like to express special gratitude to the coaches, Eteri Tutberidze and Pavel Slyusarenko, for their outstanding contribution. The work of the Federation deserves particular recognition. Thanks to the exceptional efforts and patriotism of its President and staff, our country has achieved these remarkable sporting results,” Kobakhidze said.

The Prime Minister also extended his support to Georgia’s Paralympic athletes, noting that identical cash prizes will be awarded at the Winter Paralympic Games.

“I would like to reiterate the Georgian government’s readiness to do its utmost for the success of sports in Georgia. Large investments are being made, and everything will continue to ensure that Georgian sports achieve even greater results in the future. Thank you all, and I wish you continued success,” he added.