Astana, Kazakhstan, February 26, 2026: The President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, welcomed Winter Olympics hero Mikhail Shaidorov to a formal ceremony at the Presidential Palace Ak Orda.
Shaidorov, who won the men’s figure skating gold medal at the Milano Cortina Games, was awarded the Order of Barys, II degree. State awards were also given to the coaching staff.
President Tokayev said: “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 thank Mikhail, as well as express my gratitude to his father, his coach and everyone gathered in the Ak Orda 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 only achieved by those who work tirelessly and demonstrate iron discipline,” the head of state noted.
President Tokayev emphasised that Shaidorov’s victory was a grand achievement in the history of domestic sport.
“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.”
President Tokayev also welcomed Stanislav Shaidorov, the father and first coach of the Olympic champion, as well as current coach Alexei Urmanov, 1994 Olympic winner and world champion.
Thanking the President, Shaidorov said: “It is a great honour 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.”
