President Nixon–Soviet Women's Gymnastics Team memcon (March 21, 1973)

by Richard Nixon and Vladimir Mikhailovich Smolevsky

MEMORANDUM

THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON

UNCLASSIFIED

MEMORANDUM OF CONVERSATION

PARTICIPANTS:

President Nixon
Brent Scowcroft, Deputy Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs
Soviet Women's Gymnastic Team
⁠Lyubov' I. Boganova, Gymnast
⁠Ol'ga V. Korbut, Gymnast
⁠Antonina V. Koshel', Gymnast
⁠Tamara V. Lazakovich, Gymnast
⁠Rusudan A. Sikharulidze, Gymnast
⁠Lyudmila I. Turishcheva, Gymnast
⁠Vladimir M. Smolevskiy, Group Leader
⁠Vikentiy D. Dmitriyev, Coach
⁠Renal'd I. Dnysh, Coach
⁠Vladislav S. Rastorotskiy, Coach
⁠Lyudmila I. Il'yashevasaya, Interpreter

DATE AND TIME:

Wednesday, March 21. 1973
11:58 a.m. to 12:05 p.m.

PLACE:

The Oval Office

President: Congratulations on your performance in the Olympics. Congratulations, too, on the reception you have had in the United States. I watched the Olympics on television. I noticed you always land on your feet. That is what our politicians always try to do -- not always with success.

I welcome you not only for your achievements but for what you represent.

As I meet with your leaders, we will be talking about the future, the young people. Whatever differences there are between leaders, we want a world in which the young people can live in peace.

(The President asked the ages of the group members.)

Smolevskiy: I am happy to give you a memento of our visit.

President: Thank you very much. I want to present to each girl the Presidential seal -- you see it on the floor and ceiling -- in a pin, and for the men in cuff links.

Let me say again, you had a great reception. You are television personalities, all of you.

I hope you enjoy your tour of the White House. It's not so big and old as the Kremlin but it's a great building.

(The meeting ended.)

UNCLASSIFIED