More than 270 young Olympians take part in the forum in Moscow

The first day of the International Forum for Young Olympians ended in Moscow on 1 June. The meeting with the young generation of professional athletes is themed around the Olympic values, principles and advanced technologies in sports. 

The Belarusian delegation in Moscow included young athletes representing nine sports (cross-country skiing, ski jumping, athletics, speed skating, short track, rhythmic gymnastics, modern pentathlon, freestyle wrestling, and swimming).

Before the start of the forum at the Big Sports Arena of the Luzhniki Olympic Complex, the head of the Belarusian delegation, head of the international relations department at the NOC of Belarus Vasily Yurchik spoke about the importance of the event: 

“The meeting of young athletes is held for the fifth time in Moscow, and it is very useful for the Belarusian team. Children have the opportunity to meet with their peers, find common topics in sports. It is difficult to overestimate the importance of the forum for young Olympians. These guys are our future, these are athletes who, in a few years, may become leaders of national teams, and communication between boys and girls from other countries, with Olympic champions will help them to grow into top-class athletes.”

The forum was opened by ROC President Stanislav Pozdnyakov, who noted the importance of the current summit of young champions, which brought together more than 270 young athletes.

"Modern sport should be based on the principles of friendship, support and respect, and the principles of the Olympic movement laid down by the founder of the modern Olympic Games Pierre de Coubertin," Stanislav Pozdnyakov said.

A panel discussion featured Olympic champions Ivan Litvinovich, Alla Shishkina, Victoria Listunova, Albert Batyrgaziev, Olympic medalists Yana Batyrshina, Evgenia Chikunova.

Ivan Litvinovich was pinpoint-perfect and gave interesting answers to questions from the audience.

“It was a very productive and cool meeting. I tried to convey to the guys from other countries, from Belarus, that in order to achieve the goal, you need to set it clearly for yourself and work hard towards it,” Ivan Litvinovich noted. 

“It was interesting to listen to the leading athletes. During the discussions, I tried to figure out the issues that concern me the most. It's nice to get answers to questions that you yourself struggle with during training," said Eva Bedritskaya, silver medalist of the 2nd Children of Asia Winter Games.

It should be noted that young Belarusian athletes showed excellent knowledge of anti-doping rules at the forum and passed the tests well, although, as experts noted, young athletes still have room to grow.

The forum in Moscow will end on 2 June with a large excursion program.

Press Service of the NOC of Belarus
Photos by the NOC of Belarus and the ROC