MINSK, 19 February (BelTA) - The first international winter sports games Children of Primorye kicked off with an opening ceremony in Russia’s Vladivostok, BelTA learned from the press service of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Belarus.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, President of the National Olympic Committee of Belarus Viktor Lukashenko said that the games would become an important event for young athletes. He thanked his Russian colleagues and personally Governor of Primorye Territory Oleg Kozhemyako for the invitation and the opportunity for athletes to compete, communicate, make friends and share experience.
“The first winter international games Children of Primorye are held on the tenth anniversary of the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, which gave a powerful impetus to the development of sports throughout the Euro-Asian region. The path to great Olympic sport begins in childhood. Let these competitions become a stepping stone to the sport of highest achievements and lay the foundation for your outstanding sports career,” Viktor Lukashenko said.
Team Belarus comprises 28 young athletes who will compete in six sports. Among the Games ambassadors are renowned Belarusian freestyle skiers - Olympic champions Alla Tsuper and Anton Kushnir.
The first winter international sports games Children of Primorye will run through 23 February. Apart from Belarus the Games will feature teams from Russian regions, Uzbekistan, China and North Korea. In total, more than 1,000 children aged 10 to 16 years old will compete in 31 medal events in eight sports. Vladivostok, Arsenyev, Artyom and Ussuriysk arenas will be hosting the competitions.
In July 2023, the first summer games Children of Primorye took place in Vladivostok featuring over 1,500 athletes from Belarus, China and Russian regions. In the medal standings, Team Belarus placed first with 37 (including 20 gold) medals.
