http://pda.moscowtimes.ru/article.php?aid=186871
Monday, August 11, 2008. Issue 3963. Page 11. Ossetia Conflict Stays Out of Games The Associated Press BEIJING -- Their countries may be in a conflict, but a Russian and a Georgian shared a podium and an embrace after winning Olympic medals Sunday. A day after Georgian athletes were considering leaving because of violence at home, Nino Salukvadze won the country's first medal of the games in the women's 10-meter air pistol. Russia's Natalia Paderina took the silver, and after the medal ceremony, Salukvadze put her arm around Paderina and the two posed together for photographs. Paderina than gave Salukvadze a kiss on the cheek. "This medal is good for Georgia, especially during times like this," Salukvadze said. "I am very nervous today. It's very difficult for my people." The Georgian government has decided to keep its 35-member team at the Olympics, although the competitors have been understandably distracted by recent events. Russia sent hundreds of tanks and troops into the separatist province of South Ossetia and bombed Georgian towns Saturday in a major escalation of the conflict. Georgia launched a major offensive Friday to retake control of the province. Russia, which has close ties to the province and posts peacekeepers there, responded by sending in armed convoys and military combat aircraft. The death toll has been reported to be more than 1,500. A team spokesman said the Georgian athletes were ready to leave the Olympics if it would help, but the International Olympic Council announced Sunday morning that both the Georgia and Russia teams had decided to remain in Beijing. Georgia has now won 13 Olympic medals in its history, including a pair of golds in Athens in 2004. This was the country's first shooting medal. "It's very difficult for us as Georgians because of everything that's going on at home. It was nice that Natalia Paderina came up to me after and gave me a handshake," Salukvadze said. "Yesterday, I thought the Georgian Olympic team might withdraw." Georgian Luba Golovina, an 18-year-old who competes in the gymnastics trampoline event, said that was a distinct possibility. "We almost went yesterday, but we stay," she said. "It's very difficult for us but we stay here." Golovina was standing with her father and coach, Vladimir Golovin. She said she has been in touch with her mother and other family members back home by telephone. She said there should be no difficulties while competing with the Russians. "I think it's not a problem with sportsmen. It's politics," Golovina said. "Sports and politics are different. For sportsmen, it should not be a problem
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