The ceremony of lighting the fire of the 2nd Winter Children of Asia International Sports Games took place in Yakutia
The ceremony of lighting the fire of the 2nd Winter Children of Asia International Sports Games, on January 21st, according to tradition, took place on the territory of the Lena Pillars National Park in the Khangalassky district of Yakutia. The thermometer dropped to minus 55 degrees by Celsius.
The ceremony was attended by the President and members of the board of the Children of Asia International Committee, the leadership of the organizing committee of the 2nd Winter Children of Asia International Sports Games, the leadership of the Russian Olympic Committee, as well as the leadership of Sakha Republic (Yakutia).
- We are all sincerely proud that the Children of Asia Games have become Yakutia's contribution to the development of the modern Olympic movement. For young athletes from dozens of countries around the world, Children of Asia became the first start to sports peaks. The participants of the Children of Asia Games were outstanding athletes of Yakutia - bronze medalist of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing Mr. Georgy Balakshin, participant of two Olympic Games, Minister of Physical Culture and Sports of the Republic Mr. Leonid Spiridonov, twelve-time world champion, head coach of the national drafts team of the republic Mr. Gavril Kolesov and many others, said the head of Yakutia, Mr. Aisen Nikolaev.
In a sacred place for the Yakut people, a ritual took place: the elder lit the fire in the ancient way - with stones mined on the Lena Pillars. He consecrated and blessed the fire, and then gave it to the child, who personifies the purity of the soul and thoughts.
- The lighting ceremony and the torch relay are a tribute to the traditions of the most significant event for any athlete - the Olympics, as well as a symbol of unity and friendship. The Children of Asia Games are rightfully considered a springboard to a big sport for young people. I am sure that the competitions will be remembered by all participants, they will allow them to show themselves to the maximum and make new friends, commented Mr. Sergey Alekseev, Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Kemerovo Region.
One of the main cultural values of Sakha people from time immemorial has been a respectful and respectful attitude towards the child. Therefore, it is not surprising that it was Yakutia that became the birthplace of the unique project of the Children of Asia Game.
- The fire lighting ceremony is a very important part of the Games, their first stage. The moment of ignition can be called the beginning of the Games. The ceremony is held in compliance with the traditions of the Sakha people - thus, we pay tribute to the land where the Games originated, said Mr. Vladimir Maksimov, President of the Children of Asia International Committee.
Welcoming words for the guests, torchbearers and participants of the solemn ceremony from the President of the Russian Olympic Committee Mr. Stanislav Pozdnyakov were conveyed by the Deputy General Director of the ROC Mr. Igor Stepanov.
- At one time, the Russian Olympic Committee fully supported the request of the Organizing Committee of the Games for support from the IOC, becoming one of the founders of these wonderful competitions. Ever since, largely thanks to the efforts of the International Committee, the project has been developing rapidly and successfully. Not only the format of the competition is expanding, but also the geography of participants. We are very glad that this year our friends from the Republic of Belarus will compete for medals for the first time. I am sure that young, but already ambitious Belarusian athletes will add not only entertainment to the competitions, but also increase competition.
The start of the torch relay will take place in Yakutsk on January 22nd, after which it will go to the host region - Kuzbass. There, the fire of the Games will visit all municipalities hosting the Games and will finish its journey on February 25th at the opening ceremony of the 2nd Winter Children of Asia International Sports Games at the Ice Palace Kuzbass in Kemerovo.
