Children of Asia Games opening ceremony: Sport and friendship without borders

The solemn ceremony of the 8th Children of Asia International Games took place in Yakutsk, the capital of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), Russia on 26 June. A bright three-hour program and a parade of athletes at Tuymaada Stadium will long be remembered by young athletes and spectators.

President of the Belarusian NOC Viktor Lukashenko attended the event in the capacity of a guest of honor. In attendance were also head of the Republic of Sakha Aisen Nikolayev, President of the Russian Olympic Committee Stanislav Pozdnyakov and Minister of Sports of the Russian Federation Mikhail Degtyarev. Secretary General of the Belarusian NOC Ksenia Sankovich, Belarusian Sport and Tourism Minister Sergei Kovalchuk and Deputy Sport and Tourism Minister Aleksandr Baraulya were also among the guests of the ceremony.

The flame of the 8th Children of Asia International Sports Games was lit by Georgy Balakshin, the boxing champion of the 1st Games in 1996, a bronze medalist of the Beijing Olympics, a six-time champion of Russia and a three-time European champion in boxing.

The ceremony featured famous artists of the Republic of Sakha and other regions of Russia and also over 50 creative teams from 24 districts of the Republic of Yakutia.

The main theme of the opening ceremony was "A Journey to the Arctic Universe". The colorful production in three languages - Russian, Yakut and Evenk - was held with the use of large-stge sets and innovative sound and light technologies.
More than 140 young athletes from Belarus will compete in 12 sports. The Games brought together teams from 24 countries and also the federal districts of Russia.

Athletes will compete in 239 medal events in 24 sports at 16 sports facilities. The Games will wrap up on 7 July.

Reference

The Children of Asia International Games were first held in Yakutia in 1996 on the initiative of the first President of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) Mikhail Nikolayev. The Games are held every four years and involve Asian countries and some European states.

Press department of the NOC Belarus
Photos by the NOC Belarus