2nd Winter Children of Asia International Sports Games prize-winners honoured at Belarus’ NOC
Winners of the 2nd Winter Children of Asia International Sports Games were honoured at the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of the Republic of Belarus, BelTA reports
International competitions for young athletes were held from February 23rd to March 5th in the Kemerovo Region. The Belarusian team claimed 1 gold, 5 silver and 5 bronze medals during the competitions. Polina Sivets became the champion in 3,000m speed skating, while also earning two silver awards (in 1,500m and mass start). Short tracker Daniil Bychkov clinched three medals at the international start (silver in mixed relay and bronze in 500m event and junior relay). Together with Daniil, Matvei Mager, Darya Stepanova and Ksenia Lukashevich got on the medals podium in the mixed relay, while Matvei Mager, Roman Zelenin and Timofei Zhuk finished third in the junior relay.
Moreover, ski jumper Eva Bedritskaya and skier Konstantin Kasperovich (cross-country friendship relay) won silver medals at the Children of Asia Games. Figure skater Vasily Borokhovsky, skier Viktoriya Zhemkova (friendship relay race), as well as skaters Roman Chernyavsky, Fyodor Danilov and Radomir Minin (team sprint) won bronze medals of the Kuzbass tournament.
“Most recently, a month and a half ago, we saw you off to these competitions. Today, the reason for our meeting is no less exciting, but more pleasant: we congratulate you on the medals you won. Moreover, we also pay tribute to the coaching staff, as well as to your relatives and friends: you have come to these results all together,” noted Viktor Lukashenko, the President of the NOC of Belarus. “The path to the Olympic heights begins precisely at this age. All our great athletes started at such competitions, and years later climbed the Olympic podium. I am sure that these starts gave you not only the experience of participation, but also enabled you to make new acquaintances that you may carry through your whole life. For you, this is just the beginning, I wish that in the future we will see your photos in our Olympic Hall of Fame. May your careers be successful. You should know that we, for our part, will make every effort so that you continue to participate in international competitions.”
“On behalf of the whole team, I would like to thank the National Olympic Committee for the opportunity to represent our country at the Children of Asia Games, and all the fans for their support,” said Polina Sivets, champion of speed skating competitions. “This start was the first for us in a long time of absence at international forums, and we were very happy to take part in it. When we stood on the medals podium, we were overwhelmed with pride. I am sure that the athletes of our generation have the biggest victories yet to come.”
Over 850 young athletes from 12 countries took part in the 2nd Winter Children of Asia International Sports Games, where the Belarusian team was represented by 68 athletes. In total, the Games features 57 medal events.
