Children of Asia
International committee

THE 1ST CHILDREN OF ASIA GAMES

THE 1ST CHILDREN OF ASIA GAMES
THE 1ST CHILDREN OF ASIA GAMES
/ 09 August 1996
Decree On Holding the Children of Asia International Sports Games

On September 19, 1995, Mr. Mikhail Nikolaev signed a decree On holding the Children of Asia International Sports Games

History

The first-ever international sports games were remembered for the bright moments of sports competitions and the grandiose opening celebration of the Games. 

The Games were organized to mark the 100th anniversary of the modern Olympic Movement on the initiative of the first President of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) Mikhail Nikolaev.

The spectators and participants were welcomed by the President of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) Mikhail Nikolayev and Vice-President of the Russian Olympic Committee Viktor Rodichenko, who read out a congratulatory telegram from IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch and presented the head of the republic with a commemorative gold medal in honor of the centenary of the Olympic movement.

The flame of the Games was specially brought from Olympic Atlanta and lit at the Tuimaada stadium. The honorable right to light the flame was given to Nikolai Chukrov, the absolute champion of Russia in freestyle wrestling.

The first Games did not have an official flag and mascot, so on the Opening day the Olympic flag was raised over the Tuymaada Stadium. The first emblem and symbol of the Games was a boy named Bergen. Bergen is a smart, fast, strong boy who personified a healthy spirit and the future of the nation.

More than 250 young athletes from 10 teams took part in the first Games: China, Republic of Korea, Kingdom of Thailand, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Buryatia, Tyva, Aginsky Autonomous District and Yakutia. They played for 225 medals. Young athletes competed in eight sports: athletics, freestyle wrestling, boxing, checkers, chess, judo, archery and table tennis.

Host city
Yakutsk
Dates
9-16 August, 1996
Athletes
more than 250
Sets of medals
225

Famous alumni

  • Georgy Balakshin (Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)) - Champion of the first Children of Asia International Boxing Championships. Bronze medalist of the XXIX Olympic Games 2008, champion of Russia 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007, European champion 2002, 2004, 2006, bronze medalist of the World Champion 2001.
  • Leonid Spiridonov (Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)) - Champion of the I ICI "Children of Asia" in freestyle wrestling. Fourth prize-winner of the XXVIII Summer Olympic Games 2004, fifth prize-winner of the XXIX Summer Olympic Games 2008, champion of Asia 2006, bronze prize-winner of the World Championship 2009, bronze prize-winner of the Asian Games 2010.

Logos

Medal standings
  Team Total
1
Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) 31 35 47 113
2
China 10 7 6 23
3
Thailand 10 7 6 23
4
Republic of Buryatia 8 14 4 26
5
Mongolia 6 7 17 30
6
Kyrgyzstan 5 4 1 10
7
Republic of Tyva 2 1 1 4
8
Kazakhstan 1 2 0 3
9
Republic of Korea 0 0 1 1
10
Agin-Buryat Autonomous Okrug 0 0 0 0
    Total 73 77 83 233
Documents
1st Children of Asia Games Medal Standings
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