MINSK, 25 September (BelTA) – Medalists of the 8th Children of Asia International Sports Games were honored at the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Belarus on 25 September, BelTA has learned.
The Games took place in Russia's Yakutsk on 25 June-7 July. Belarus fielded 142 athletes under 16 in 12 sports. Belarus won 78 (27 gold, 21 silver and 30 bronze) medals.
On 25 September, President of the National Olympic Committee of Belarus Viktor Lukashenko presented money certificates to the winners and medalists of the Games, as well as to their coaches. Belarusian Sport and Tourism Minister Sergei Kovalchuk awarded diplomas to members of the teaching and medical staff of the teams.
“These victories came a few months ago, but the memories are still fresh,” the NOC head said. “Our athletes made remarkable achievements. At their young age they performed under the national flag and represented the country with dignity. For many of them it was their first international competition. In that permafrost zone the athletes felt the warmth of Belarusian hearts, and this support from home also helped them to win. I am sure we will see our athletes on the Olympic and world podiums and will remember these Games as the first step on the way to the elite sport.”
“The performance of the Belarusian team has shown that our sport has great potential, that the built system with the right approach and preparation will lead to high results,” Sergei Kovalchuk said. “The athletes traveled thousands of kilometers to produce a perfect performance in absolutely new climatic conditions and in a different time zone. They did really great. I would like to thank the coaches who instilled the right attitude in their athletes, and also to the parents who support their children at the initial stage of their sports career.”
Four-time champions of the 8th Children of Asia Games were runners Andrei Litvinovich (400m, 4x100m, 4x400m, friendship relay) and Hanna Arlouskaya (100m, 200m, 4x100m, 4x400m). Three gold medals were collected by swimmer Roman Galmak (4x100m, 50m freestyle, 4x50m).
“We were very happy to take part in such a big international competition. Each of us tried to show our best, and I think we succeeded. Big thanks to the country for the support,” Hanna Arlouskaya said. “The Games also gave us an opportunity to get to know athletes from other countries, to exchange experience. I am sure this is just the beginning and we have many more victories ahead of us.”
Track and field athletes (13-7-8) and swimmers (6-8-6) brought the biggest number of medals to Belarus. Belarusian athletes also graced the podium in taekwondo, wrestling, judo, boxing, rhythmic gymnastics, volleyball, 3x3 basketball, table tennis, archery and shooting.
“This tournament was very important for us. In today's difficult environment it was crucial to see the athletes in a competitive atmosphere, to check how they can withstand the competition and such a long journey. I think that such competitions should be held on a regular basis, so that the athletes knew the situation in their sport,” Aleksei Lashkevich, coach of the 3x3 basketball team, said. “The competition inside the team was very high. We were choosing from two dozen candidates. After all 3x3 basketball team is not 12 but only four members.”
Belarus placed third in the Children of Asia overall medal standings, behind Uzbekistan and the Siberian Federal District. Athletes of 17 countries graced the podium during the Games.
The Games took place in Russia's Yakutsk on 25 June-7 July. Belarus fielded 142 athletes under 16 in 12 sports. Belarus won 78 (27 gold, 21 silver and 30 bronze) medals.
On 25 September, President of the National Olympic Committee of Belarus Viktor Lukashenko presented money certificates to the winners and medalists of the Games, as well as to their coaches. Belarusian Sport and Tourism Minister Sergei Kovalchuk awarded diplomas to members of the teaching and medical staff of the teams.
“These victories came a few months ago, but the memories are still fresh,” the NOC head said. “Our athletes made remarkable achievements. At their young age they performed under the national flag and represented the country with dignity. For many of them it was their first international competition. In that permafrost zone the athletes felt the warmth of Belarusian hearts, and this support from home also helped them to win. I am sure we will see our athletes on the Olympic and world podiums and will remember these Games as the first step on the way to the elite sport.”
“The performance of the Belarusian team has shown that our sport has great potential, that the built system with the right approach and preparation will lead to high results,” Sergei Kovalchuk said. “The athletes traveled thousands of kilometers to produce a perfect performance in absolutely new climatic conditions and in a different time zone. They did really great. I would like to thank the coaches who instilled the right attitude in their athletes, and also to the parents who support their children at the initial stage of their sports career.”
Four-time champions of the 8th Children of Asia Games were runners Andrei Litvinovich (400m, 4x100m, 4x400m, friendship relay) and Hanna Arlouskaya (100m, 200m, 4x100m, 4x400m). Three gold medals were collected by swimmer Roman Galmak (4x100m, 50m freestyle, 4x50m).
“We were very happy to take part in such a big international competition. Each of us tried to show our best, and I think we succeeded. Big thanks to the country for the support,” Hanna Arlouskaya said. “The Games also gave us an opportunity to get to know athletes from other countries, to exchange experience. I am sure this is just the beginning and we have many more victories ahead of us.”
Track and field athletes (13-7-8) and swimmers (6-8-6) brought the biggest number of medals to Belarus. Belarusian athletes also graced the podium in taekwondo, wrestling, judo, boxing, rhythmic gymnastics, volleyball, 3x3 basketball, table tennis, archery and shooting.
“This tournament was very important for us. In today's difficult environment it was crucial to see the athletes in a competitive atmosphere, to check how they can withstand the competition and such a long journey. I think that such competitions should be held on a regular basis, so that the athletes knew the situation in their sport,” Aleksei Lashkevich, coach of the 3x3 basketball team, said. “The competition inside the team was very high. We were choosing from two dozen candidates. After all 3x3 basketball team is not 12 but only four members.”
Belarus placed third in the Children of Asia overall medal standings, behind Uzbekistan and the Siberian Federal District. Athletes of 17 countries graced the podium during the Games.
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