Komsomol Pravda reports that tickets to the final cost about 600 dollars. Nevertheless, Russian fans purchased them and it is very offensive that many were made late to the match. Organizers transferred it to 2 hours in the afternoon, (14:00) when, under the regulations, it was supposed to begin at four (16:00).
Elena will get a tat honoring her victory!
(Cleaned-up translation from Russian http://www.kp.ru/daily/24147/364248/ )
Lena simply shone from happiness, and at the press conference answered immediately in three languages - English, French and Russian.
“I am very happy. I’ve thought about Olympic Gold since losing in the Sydney final. They always asked me which I wanted more: to win a Grand Slam or Olympiad. I dreamed to become precisely the Olympic champion. Tennis – due to the commercial form of the sport, many tennis-players first of all think about the prize. I am different - it was not because of the money that it always pleased me to win tennis.”
How will you commemorate the Olympiad?
“I saw that many Olympic champions get themselves five-ring tattoos for the memory. Earlier I regarded tattoos extremely negatively. But here, I do think it can to me immortalize my victory.”
Will you go for a (victory) walk in the Olympic Village?
“In Sydney Aleksey Nemov observed his victory in the adjacent housing. I will be more modest. Especially because we fly away tomorrow. I will jump to Moscow in order to see Mom. To her I devote all my victories. But then immediately to America, where soon starts the US Open.
Is it time to win the tournament of large helmet…
“I know; I am called the eternally second. I was the second at that Grand Slam. But I look at it this way: I tell itself that this (the Gold) was the first final. Briefly stated, to everything its time. And it was here now possible for me to bring together everything - tactics, technology and psychology. I hope that now will follow other victories, although I am not guaranteed this next US Open. After everything was over, many emotions splashed out. Yes, even weather in Beijing was very hot. I am very tired. But I am happy.”
After the defeat of 8 years ago in Sydney, you promised to break racket. Did you break it?
“I do not remember. Surely not, I am peaceful girl.”
Did you have any talismans or signs at the Olympiad, which helped you to conquer?
“I ordered three court dresses. Each of a different color - under the colors of the Russian flag. But I always played in one. (Blue on white.) How could I change after the first victory?”



Russian Minister of Sport Vyacheslav Fetisov and First Vice-Premier Sergey Ivanov cheer Elena's victory. 