Watch Russia’s presidential inauguration broadcast LIVE!

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For those who couldn't see it live -

Dmitry Medvedev's inauguration, full version

YouTube - Dmitry Medvedev's inauguration, full version




Dmitry Medvedev was inaugurated as Russia's third president on Wednesday in a glittering and solemn ceremony in front of some 2,500 guests at the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow as Vladimir Putin stepped down after eight years as head of state.



The inauguration ceremony began at 11:45 a.m. Moscow time (07:45 GMT) and after the outgoing Putin had made a short speech, Medvedev swore an oath on a copy of the Russian Constitution. He then addressed the assembled dignitaries as Russia's new president. The entire ceremony was shown live on national television and the Internet.


"I wish Dmitry Medvedev luck and success in the post of president of the Russian Federation," Putin said.


Medvedev, a trained lawyer, worked under Putin in St. Petersburg in the early 1990s, when the man who would later become Russia's second president was the city's first deputy mayor. In 1999, in Moscow, Medvedev was appointed acting deputy chief of the presidential staff.




Medvedev swore to "respect and protect human and civil rights," as well as to "observe and defend the Constitution of the Russian Federation, its sovereignty and independence, security and integrity."

He said the development of civil and economic freedoms in Russia would be a priority during his presidency.





Medvedev inaugurated as Russia's third president

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Medvedev expects Olympic team to bless Russia with success


8 days to go.... http://en.beijing2008.cn



Beijing National Stadium

http://www.chinese-architecture.info

July 29, 2008

GRAND KREMLIN PALACE, MOSCOW.
With members of Russia’s Olympic Team.

The head of state wished the athletes competing in Beijing success. He had special words of support for those who will participate in the Olympics for the first time.
The President expressed his confidence that the Russian team will demonstrate its athletic qualities at the Olympics.
The composition of the team was approved by the Russian Olympic Committee on 28 July. 467 Russian athletes will participate in the competitions in China.

http://kremlin.ru/eng/sdocs/themes.shtml#204713

MOSCOW, July 29 (RIA Novosti) - President Dmitry Medvedev told Russian athletes attending a Kremlin ceremony Tuesday before flying off to Beijing that he was pulling for them to win medals at the Olympic Games.

"There are grounds to expect bright victories," Medvedev told the athletes. "We will not make predictions, but we will pull for you with all our hearts, keep our fingers crossed and believe in your victory and skills."
He gave special encouragement to the sportsmen and women making their debut at this Olympics, which begin in Beijing on August 8.
"Sports like those who dare, and luck is on newcomers' side," Medvedev said.
The Russian team is made up of 467 athletes, who will compete in 244 events.

READ MORE -- http://en.rian.ru/russia/20080729/115183926.html

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8 days to go.... http://en.beijing2008.cn

MOSCOW - JULY 29: Russian Olympic team members and officials listen during a religious service given for them in the Assumption Cathedral at the Kremlin on July 29, 2008 in Moscow, Russia.


The Assumption Cathedral, Moscow

For six centuries the Assumption Cathedral had been the state and cultural center of Russia: Great Princes were set for reigning and local princes swore fealty, inaugurations of Tsars and coronations of Emperors took place here. Bishops, Metropolitans and Patriarchs were inaugurated, statements and ceremonial documents were publicly read, church services before military campaigns and in case of a victory were held at the Assumption Cathedral.

The first stone cathedral’s foundation was laid in 1326 by the first Moscow Metropolitan Peter and Prince Ivan Kalita (Money-bag). In late XV century, Great Prince Ivan III who had consolidated all Russian princedoms under the power of Moscow, began the construction of the new residence from rebuilding of the Assumption Cathedral. It was erected by a specially invited Italian architect in 1479.

READ MORE -- http://www.kremlin.museum.ru/en/main/museums/dormite

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Russian Olympic team members pose for the media during a farewell ceremony on The Red Square, in Moscow, Tuesday, July 29, 2008, after a meeting with President Dmitry Medvedev.