Intro:

Thousands of Ice Hockey fans pay their respects to legendary Russian coach Viktor Tikhonov in Moscow on Thursday (27th November).

Script:

Former ice hockey players and administrators, national politicians and members of the public all lined up to pay their respects to Viktor Tikhonov as he lay in state after passing away at the age of 84.

Tikhonov was instrumental to the success of the Russian national team which won gold medals at the Sarajevo and Calgary Winter Olympic Games and he was also in charge when the post-Soviet unified team won gold at the 1992 games.

Tikhonov also led the Soviet team to eight world championship gold medals.

Former player Pavel Bure called him, 'the best coach':

SOUNDBITE (Russian) Pavel Bure, former ice hockey winger:

"He was a person who trained and brought up several generations. I think he is the best coach, a hockey specialist. He is the person who revolutionised hockey. He has reached all that can be achieved in the game."

CSKA Moscow coach Leonid Slutsky also paid his respects:

SOUNDBITE (Russian) Leonid Slutsky, CSKA Moscow coach:

"My coach was raised on the national hockey team and CSKA. So it is a pity for all of us. When the legend leaves, a part of each of us goes with him. It is hard to appreciate, but we have to go through it."