The Belarusian National Olympic Committee hosted a send-off ceremony for the sports delegation of the Republic of Belarus to the 2nd Winter Children of Asia International Sports Games which will be running in Russia’s Kemerovo Oblast – Kuzbass from 23 February – 5 March.
The Belarusian team includes 68 young athletes under 16 in eight sports: ice hockey, snowboarding, ski jumping, cross-country, short track, figure skating, speed skating and Alpine skiing. Among the athletes are champions and prize-winners of Belarus, record holders in sports in their age categories.
President of the NOC of Belarus Viktor Lukashenko addressed the young participants of the ceremony.
"Belarus will make a debut in this prestigious multi-sport event. Undoubtedly, for you, young athletes, it will be a great experience to perform in the arenas of Kuzbass. Remember, you have the opportunity to perform under your flag and coat of arms. Our country invests a lot in children's and youth sports. Put all your efforts, show everything that you are capable of and make us happy with the result! Not only your parents and friends but the whole country will be rooting for you,” Viktor Lukashenko said.
He also thanked the Olympic Council of Asia, the Organizing Committee of the Children of Asia Games and the Russian Olympic Committee for the opportunity to compete in the event.
Polina Sivets, the national champion in 1,500m and 3,000m among juniors in speed skating, will be the captain of the Belarusian team and the flag bearer at the opening ceremony.
According to experts, the talented girl can grow into an extra-class athlete, and the Games in Kuzbass will be an excellent test of strength for her.
"I am proud to be the flag bearer and captain of the Belarusian national team at the Winter Games in Kuzbass. We are going as a large and friendly team and will support each other in order to show the highest result. Many of us still do not have much international experience, and the event in Kemerovo will be a great chance to gain a lot of it. I am sure that now each of us feels the support of the whole country and understands that a lot of people are rooting for us. This is an international event, which is important at the present time and which gives us additional strength," Polina Sivets said.
The Belarusian delegation will fly off to Kemerovo on a charter flight at 9.00 in the morning on 23 February.
According to the organizers, Kuzbass is eagerly awaiting for the Belarusians and is preparing a welcome ceremony.
The opening ceremony of the 2nd Winter Children of Asia International Sports Games will be held at the Kuzbass Ice Palace on 25 February. The hosts of the ceremony will be Olympic champion Alexei Yagudin and TV presenter Natalia Litovka. Spectators will see a parade of flags of the participating countries, vocal and choreographic performances.
The headliners of the holiday will be two-time Olympic champion, two-time Olympic silver medalist Evgeny Plushenko, his son Alexander Plushenko and Olympic silver medalist Alexandra Trusova.
The mascot of the games will be Tikhonya the Lynx.
For reference:
Children of Asia International Sports Games have been held every four years since 1996 under the auspices of the International Olympic Committee and cover the entire Asian continent and some European countries. The Games are organized to commemorate the100th anniversary of the modern Olympic movement at the initiative of the first president of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) Mikhail Nikolayev.
In 2016 at the initiative of the head of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) Yegor Borisov the International Committee of the Children of Asia Games decided on the 1st Children of Asia Winter International Sports Games.
Belarus applied for participation in the event in early December 2022 and by the New Year the application was approved by the Board of the Children of Asia Games International Committee.
The 2nd Winter Children of Asia International Sports Games will feature 865 young athletes from 13 Asian countries. The program will feature 57 medal events in ten sports.
Press service of Belarus’ NOC