With only five days to go until the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Russian track and field fans are still feeling the sting over their team’s ban, following Russia’s high-profile doping scandal.
Luckily for fans of Russian pop, the country’s Eurovision stars are most definitely welcome at the Games.
On July 30, as part of the Olympic torch relay, Eurovision 2008 winner Dima Bilan passed the torch to Eurovision 2015 runner-up, Polina Gagarina.
They made the exchange in Guapimirim, Brazil, as the flame continued its journey on the road to Rio de Janeiro.
They’re used to performing in front of tens of thousands of people, but both singers seemed overwhelmed after carrying the torch.
In a video posted on the official Twitter account of the Olympic Flame, the “Million Voices” hitmaker said: “It’s a really historical moment. I was so excited. I was crying…I wasn’t prepared for this!”
Now you can relax @Gagaraofficial! ? Thank you ?? #FlameInRioDeJaneiro #OlympicFlame #RoadToRio pic.twitter.com/JOLExSrMUi
— Olympic Flame (@OlympicFlame) July 30, 2016
As for Dima Bilan, it was clear he enjoyed the run, describing it as a “crazy moment in my life” during his lively video interview on the Olympic Flame Twitter account.
In a separate interview, he said: “The right to be a torchbearer is a big honour for me. The Olympic torch relay represents Olympic values: mutual respect, friendship and equality.”
When you realize that your friend is happy because of you! OH MY GOODNESS @BilanOfficial ???? #OlympicFlame pic.twitter.com/p08FLO0SXj
— Olympic Flame (@OlympicFlame) July 30, 2016
This is not the first time Eurovision artists haven taken part in this symbolic journey.
In 2014, Galina Koneva, one of the Buranovskiye Babushki, was a torch bearer at the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia.
In 2012, two-time Irish representatives Jedward had the privilege of bearing the Olympic torch ahead of the London Games.
@marie most of the 117 athletes have never been suspected of doping. They are not allowed to compete because of a report describing poor work of Russian antidoping agency. In contrast to that nearly half of the athletes of the USA had positive doping tests in the past. Therefore Russian tea is the cleanest at the moment. The athletes form Russia have taken 3 tests to be allowed to take part in the games. Nothing says it’s ok. Everyone is upset that politics is invading sport. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v660CA_lI6k
Why singer from Russia run with olympic flame in Brazil. I understand if they run in Russia with olympic flame.
@marie, not the majority. 117 out of 386 are banned.
Polina and Dima – both are talented and postive persons:)
I am very proud of Dima.As a fan of him i am happy that russian people chosen him to be a torchbearer(again).
Love Polina <3<3<3
dima looks good these days! the guy ages like a fine wine!
Polina is really beautiful. I love her but that guy is so fake. He was so lucky with both the political situation in Europe and the voting system. But please, stop paying so much attention to the Russian performers . Promote good singers from Serbia, Portugal, Slovakia and other small countries. Please. Leave the Russian performers alone. Their oligarkh fathers and husbands will take care of them and their promotion.
Polina looking flawless, classy and sweet. As always. <3
@Tommy
Why cancer? Maybe too much of meldonium, mmm???
WARNING: it is a joke.
Dima was also a torchbearer at Winter Olympic games in Sochi..:)
@tommy he has lost weight due.to his schedule ,performances and his upcoming film :/
I am so.happy you wrote about them! Both enjoyed this overwhelming experience! I am so proud of them!!????????????
Omg, does he have cancer? He is so skinny and looks sick… 🙁