Russian President Dmitry Medvedev wished good luck to all the participants of the 2011 Figure Skating World Championship that kicks of on Monday in the capital of Russia.
Moscow was selected to host the championship last month after Tokyo, which was the original host of the event, was forced to pull out due to the devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan on March 11.
"I would like to thank the International Skating Union (ISU) and the Russian organizing committee of the championship for their operative work on preparations for the tournament and I would like to wish all people of Japan courage and firmness in overcoming the aftermath of the natural disaster," Medvedev said in a statement.
After Japan was forced to drop out from hosting the event, initially scheduled for March 21-27, Moscow, Vancouver (Canada), Turku (Finland), Colorado Springs (the United States), Graz (Austria) and Zagreb (Croatia) put in immediate bids.
MOSCOW, April 25 (RIA Novosti)
