Sakhalin residents opened the II Winter International Games “Children of Asia” in Kemerovo

The II Winter International Sports Games “Children of Asia” started in Kuzbass. Within nine days, about a thousand athletes from 12 Asian countries, the Republic of Belarus and eight regions of Russia will compete for medals at prestigious competitions. This was reported in the press service of the Ministry of Sports of the Sakhalin Region.

“Welcome to the heart of Siberia! Welcome to Kuzbass! I am glad to welcome young athletes of the Asian continent to our land. Busy days are ahead of you, there will be many meetings and acquaintances — let them be filled with bright emotions, unforgettable impressions and high sports results!” – welcomed the participants of the International Committee of the Games “Children of Asia” Vladimir Maksimov.

Sakhalin athletes will compete as part of the team of the Far Eastern Federal District. It included 14 islanders – skiers, snowboarders, skiers, figure skaters and flying skiers.

“Our children successfully performed at the Russian Championship and were selected for the Games. We have been preparing for a long time, and I am sure we will perform successfully. We place bets on long distances — 5 km for girls, 10 km for boys — and sprint,” said Valentina Gribakina, ski coach at the Okha sports school.

The performances of Sakhalin athletes will be held on February 27, 28, and also on March 1 and 2.

“We have four representatives in alpine skiing and ski jumping. Our flying skiers — the only ones from the Far Eastern Federal District who will fight for the medals of the Games in this sport. They are well prepared and focused on high results,” said the representative of the island athletes Boris Kulemzhin.

Already today, the island athletes will go to prepare for the starts. For the first time in the history of the Games, they will be held in four territories at once: in Kemerovo, Novokuznetsk, Mezhdurechensk and the Tashtagol region. Sakhalin residents will perform in every settlement.

Recall that Kuzbass took over the baton of the Winter Games from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. In 2019, the island capital hosted the first competitions among young athletes in winter sports. Previously, “Children of Asia” was held only in the summer.