(24 Feb 2002)
1. Sheremetyevo airport in Moscow
2. Aeroflot plane on the tarmac
3. Yelena Berezhnaya and Anton Sikharulidze, gold medallists in pairs figure skating, exit the terminal
4. Cutaway press and fans
5. SOUNDBITE; (Russian) Anton Sikharulidze, Figure Skater:
"No one has asked me to cut a piece of my well-earned medal and to give it away. They (Canada's Jamie Sale and David Pelletier) pleaded for a gold medal as well - and they got it. Even if six more gold medals were awarded - it would not have decreased the value of my victory. Myself, I feel great."
6. Sikharulidze and Berezhnaya talking to reporters
7. SOUNDBITE; (Russian) Anton Sikharulidze, Figure Skater:
"Nowadays, countries compete between themself at the Olympics - not pairs and not individuals like it used to be."
8. Cutaway flowers
9. SOUNDBITE; (Russian) Anton Sikharulidze, Figure Skater:
"The Olympic Games is lots of fun. Plus all the scandals - I actually think they are t is good. If everything were to go quiet nobody would watch the Games, that would be not enough interest with general public. It is cool the way it is."
10. Airport hall
11. Hockey player exits the hall
12. Berezhnaya and Sikharulidze leave airport
13. President Putin's special envoy delivers a letter to Berezhnaya and Sikharulidze
14. Figure skaters read letter aloud
15. Close up letter
16. Figure skaters standing with flowers
17. Midshot van containing Berezhnaya and Sikharulidze driving away
STORYLINE:
The Russian pairs figure skating golden medallists, Yelena Berezhnaya and Anton Sikharulidze, have returned home to a hero's welcome.
They won the pairs figure skating on controversial 5-4 judging, but later were forced to share the gold with Canada's Jamie Sale and David Pelletier.
Speaking on arrival at Moscow's airport on Sunday, Sikharulidze and Berezhnaya dismissed the rumours that initial voting was tipped in their favour and declared that they consider themself to be the true champions
At home Berezhnaya and Sikharulidze have quickly become a symbol of bias allegedly shown by the outside world towards the Russians at the Salt Lake City Olympics.
Russian pride has been battered in many ways in the decade since the Soviet collapse revealed the country's deterioration and led to economic crises.
In a symbol of how important sporting victories have become in Russia, Berezhnaya and Sikharulidze were greeted on arrival by Russian President Vladimir Putin's special envoy who presented the Olympic champions with a letter of congratulations from the Russian leader.
"You have done great! We are proud of your victory." the letter said
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