On Thursday, Putin paid a visit to the longest bobsled track in Russia at the Paramonovo Training Center.
© RIA Novosti . Alexey Nikolskiy / Go to the mediabankOn Thursday, Putin paid a visit to the longest bobsled track in Russia at the Paramonovo Training Center.
On Thursday, Putin paid a visit to the longest bobsled track in Russia at the Paramonovo Training Center.
He first visited the open track.
© RIA Novosti . Alexey Nikolskiy / Go to the mediabankAnd chatted with members of the Russian national bobsled team.
And chatted with members of the Russian national bobsled team.
© RIA Novosti . Alexey Nikolskiy / Go to the mediabankThe prime minister then said he would like to have a go on the track himself, but the athletes tried to talk him out of it.
The prime minister then said he would like to have a go on the track himself, but the athletes tried to talk him out of it.
© RIA Novosti . Alexey Nikolskiy / Go to the mediabankBut when Putin arrived at the training track, where Russian bobsledders are in pre-competition training, he could not hold himself back and took one of the sleds out for a spin.
But when Putin arrived at the training track, where Russian bobsledders are in pre-competition training, he could not hold himself back and took one of the sleds out for a spin.
© RIA Novosti . Alexey Nikolskiy / Go to the mediabankThe first pilot was experienced bobsledder Alexei Shadeyev. Putin did not put on the Russian bobsled team kit as he was already wearing sports clothes and the trainers said that his black parka jacket was perfect for bobsledding.
The first pilot was experienced bobsledder Alexei Shadeyev. Putin did not put on the Russian bobsled team kit as he was already wearing sports clothes and the trainers said that his black parka jacket was perfect for bobsledding.
© RIA Novosti . Alexey Nikolskiy / Go to the mediabankWith the help of boosters the bobsled carrying the prime minister successfully negotiated the track, although on the first run Shadeyev and Putin did not manage to reach the bottom of the run and their bobsled had to return to the starting point.
With the help of boosters the bobsled carrying the prime minister successfully negotiated the track, although on the first run Shadeyev and Putin did not manage to reach the bottom of the run and their bobsled had to return to the starting point.
© RIA Novosti . Alexey Nikolskiy / Go to the mediabankDuring the second attempt, Shadeyev and Putin successfully completed the course.
During the second attempt, Shadeyev and Putin successfully completed the course.
© RIA Novosti . Alexey Nikolskiy / Go to the mediabankIn response to journalists' questions about what he thought of the experience, Putin said: "I enjoyed it, I'd recommend it."
In response to journalists' questions about what he thought of the experience, Putin said: "I enjoyed it, I'd recommend it."
© RIA Novosti . Alexey Nikolskiy / Go to the mediabankThe Paramonovo bobsleigh, luge and skeleton complex
The Paramonovo bobsleigh, luge and skeleton complex