Vladimir Putin Poses with Canadian Dave Romanyk at Sochi Games

Canadian Dave Romanyk snapped a picture with Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a chance meeting in the Olympic Village. (Dave Romanyk/Facebook)

Dave Romanyk and Pascal MacMellan from Iqaluit got to personally thank the host of the Sochi Games, Russian President Vladimir Putin, at a chance meeting in the Olympic Village.

The two travel companions are in Sochi supporting Canadian athletes, but they managed a quick chat and a picture with Putin.

Romanyk and MacMellan were drinking beer with team Austria when Putin entered the building.

Despite being slightly awestruck, Romanyk approached Putin and offered the president his Team Canada gloves as a gift and thanked him for hosting the Games.

“He was gracious enough to get me a picture with him. So, it was a great experience,” said Romanyk.

This is the fifth Olympic experience for Romanyk who travelled to Sochi to cheer on his homeland, and the first for MacMellan. The two work for the Department of Justice for the Nunavut government.

CBC