Today, mixed martial arts fighter Jeff Monson received his first Russian passport. President Vladimir Putin had granted him Russian citizenship on May 29th. The governor of Moscow Oblast handed the document to Monson in Patriot Park.
Our correspondent, Evgeny Nippot, is reporting live at the scene.
— Hello, Evgeny. Please tell us about the ceremony. Did Monson make any comments?
— The athlete received such a warm welcome that he felt a little shy. Before the ceremony, where he was handed the document, Monson and the governor of Moscow Oblast went for a walk in the children's camp at the park. According to the athlete, he was very impressed by the camp's facilities. Shortly after, Monson proceeded to a special pavilion, where he was then handed his new passport. Let's watch some footage of the ceremony.
After the ceremony, the famous fighter read out the oath. His solemn oath was greeted with applause. Let's see it.
Jeff Monson, mixed martial arts fighter: "I, Jeff William Monson, hereby voluntarily and consciously accept citizenship of the Russian Federation, swear..."
The athlete spent a lot of time with the children. He talked to them for a while, signed autographs, and brought them soccer balls ahead of the World Cup. He also said that for a long time he had felt like he was Russian. Let's watch his interview.
Jeff Monson: "Honestly I feel like I've been Russian my whole life. Today it was finally made official. I'm going to celebrate it by going out to eat. I'm very excited, I have many plans and a lot of energy. I'd like to work with children at my school in Krasnogorsk and help people like I've always wanted to".
The children decided to congratulate Monson by singing a song called "It's So Great That All of Us Have Gathered Here Today." They gathered around two guitar players and started singing. Naturally, the athlete felt very shy. The children had been looking forward to his visit for a long time. They're familiar with his biography and want to be like him in the future. Here's what they said.
"I'm really happy that he's going to be here today. He's a notable athlete. I wish he didn't have to end his career. He had 57 wins and 23 losses. I'd want to be like him".
"He's a great boxer and I want to be like him. I watched his matches and he's very strong. Here in the military camp, teenagers have a chance to meet the athlete in person".
Here, they receive military training and learn both combat skills and the history of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. So like I said, the athlete felt very shy and grateful for the warm welcome.
— Back to my colleagues.
— Yes, Evgeny, thank you. It was very interesting to see Monson with the kids. Like the saying goes, he may look rough, but he has a good heart.
Evgeny Nippot told us about Russian citizen Jeff Monson getting his first Russian passport.
