Russian athletes must ignore the lavish parties and cultural exhibitions at the Olympics and focus on training rather than "fooling around," Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said Monday.
Medvedev made the demand at a meeting with his deputy Dmitry Kozak, who oversees Olympic preparations including those for the so-called Russia House cultural center in London's Kensington Gardens.
"Why should the athletes go out and about?" Medvedev asked. "They must train," he added.
"Whoever wants to visit [the centers] can visit them. But the athletes must work on their training, they must be permanently in fighting form."
Kozak said that part of the mandate of Russia House was to celebrate the achievements of athletes who had already won medals.
"After the competitions a person has the right to go anywhere. The main thing is that before competing they don't fool around anywhere."
Kozak vowed to "regulate it all."
Russia is sending 436 athletes to the Games, which start July 27.
