The second edition of the Winter International Sports Games “Children of Asia” concluded in the Russian city of Kemerovo, with Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) secretary general Rodion Plitukhin declaring it a “great sports festival”.
A total of 814 athletes from more than 10 countries took part at the Games.
A team representing Russia’s Siberian Federal District topped the medals standings with 15 golds, 13 silvers and 11 bronzes, with Moscow second with 15 golds, nine silvers and 10 bronzes and the Ural Federal District third with 10 golds, eight silvers and nine bronzes.
The Games concluded with a Closing Ceremony at the Kuzbass Ice Palace attended by approximately 7,000 people, including Children of Asia International Committee (CAGIC) President Vladimir Maksimov, ROC secretary general Plitukhin, Kemerovo Region Governor Sergey Tsivilev and Russia’s First Deputy Minister of Sports Azat Kadyrov.
The multi-sport event took place in Russia despite International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) recommendations not to staged any competitions there or in Belarus because of the war in Ukraine.
The Russian flag also featured at the venue, which also contradicts the IOC’s recommendations.
The IOC has insisted that these sanctions would remain in place even as it explores a “pathway” for Russian and Belarusian athletes to return to international sport.
The Children of Asia Games are open to competitors aged 16 and under from across Asia, and Maksimov has previously claimed “children and athletes are apart from politics”.
CAGIC President Maksimov claimed that “the legacy that will remain after the Games in the form of experienced staff and excellent sports facilities” in Kemerovo.
“We are very glad that our Games have become a part of history in the life of Kuzbass,” he said.
“After all, Children of Asia is not only about sports.
“These are thousands of people with their own traditions and views on life.
“You were able to make new friends here, exchange culture and customs with each other.
“Each of us will take away these memories in our hearts, and will carry friendship throughout our lives.”
The ROC co-founded the the CAGIC, and Plitukhin claimed the event had been success and fulfilled its aims.
“All participants of the Games from more than 10 countries managed to create the atmosphere of a great sports festival,” he said.
“There is not the slightest doubt that regardless of whether medals were won or not, each of the athletes will take away from the Games warm memories of the unique Siberian hospitality and vivid impressions of the days spent here.
“And, of course, the most important thing – new friends with whom you will communicate and build the future of the Olympic Movement together on the basis of mutual understanding, respect for common interests, friendship and striving for excellence.
“The main goal, namely to demonstrate to the new generation how the true Olympic values are implemented in practice, the II Winter Games “Children of Asia” fulfilled.”
Russian singers Dina Garipova, and Maxim and Anastasia Kasyanov were among the artists who performed at the Closing Ceremony.
Four medallists carried the CAGIC flag at the end of the Ceremony in Russian athletes Dmitry Podolsky, Matvey Bazhanov and Tikhon Kochergin, and Kazakhstan’s Tolegen Meyirzhan.
Source : Insidethegames