Mezhdurechensk has hosted the 2nd Winter Children of Asia International Sports Games torch relay.
"I am very glad and proud that Kuzbass is greatly honored to host the 2nd Winter Children of Asia International Sports Games, especially at such a difficult moment for the country. Athletes from 12 countries and 8 regions of Russia will come to us, we are ready to meet them properly. Our young athletes will also compete, this year we decided to form a separate Kuzbass team. I invite everyone to come to the Games and cheer for our athletes, it will cause a storm of positive emotions", said Sergey Tsivilev.
Mezhdurechensk torch relay stage started from the sports venue, that is really important for this town – "Zvezdniy" Sports Complex. The torchbearers team included 15 people. The first torchbearer was Deputy Director for Methodological work of the SSOR (Sports School of Olympic Reserve) for Alpine Skiing, Tatiana Provorkina. Also, the relay participants were: Master of Sports of Russia of International Class in Alpine Skiing, participant of two Olympic Games Vancouver 2010 and Sochi 2014, Winner of the European Cup 2013 - Sergey Maitakov; Master of Sports of Russia, Winner of the Cup of Russia and medalist of the Russian Ski Jumping Championship - Konstantin Nikolaev; Master of Sports of Russia in Alpine Skiing, champion of Russia, participant of the World Championship - Daria Ivanova and other athletes.
"For me, the torch relay is a ceremony I really pleased to attend. It's nice to open the Children of Asia International Sports Games, I’m greatly honored. I expect that all the athletes will show good performances, our city will host young athletes at the appropriate level, and the starts will be excellent. Children of Asia is a very big contribution to the development of children's sports. I hope that the Games will become an impetus for sport-loving Mezhdurechensk and a new generation of young champions will appear", said Konstantin Nikolaev.
The torch relay ended in Mezhdurechensk on the Prazdnichnaya Square. There is a countdown clock of the 2nd Winter Children of Asia International Sports Games. The Games flame was transferred to Kemerovo in a special lantern. In Kemerovo, the torch relay will be held on February 25. After that, the symbol of the 2nd Winter Children of Asia International Sports Games will be solemnly delivered to the Opening Ceremony at the Kuzbass Ice Palace.
The solemn lighting ceremony of the 2nd Winter Children of Asia International Sports Games was held on January 21 on the territory of the Lena Pillars National Park in Yakutia, the birthplace of the Games. Novokuznetsk became the first city to host the relay in Kuzbass on January 24. 23 torchbearers carried the flame through the central streets of the city. Tashtagol municipal district took over the baton on February 2 and handed it over to Mezhdurechensk.
From the lighting ceremony and throughout the entire relay route, the symbol is accompanied by the flame keepers. Flame keepers team includes 4 professional Kuzbass athletes.
Sergey Tsivilev also inspected the Yugus Winter Sports Center, where a number of major changes were made shortly before the Children of Asia International Sports Games. Two trampolines have been completely reconstructed: the K-40m training ski jump and the K-62m. The largest K-90m ski jump is also planned to be reconstructed. A new chairlift was built, which will allow ski jumpers to climb faster and easier during training sessions and competitions. The referee towers, the Winter Sports Center and utilities were repaired. Waxing stations as well as locker rooms were installed. In addition, an Italian-made Prinoth ratrac appeared on Yugus this year, it replaced one of the outdated devices. Two cars compact and prepare snow slopes in winter. The new technique is suitable for preparing steep mountain tracks, and it will also perfectly cope with compacting snow for landing on trampolines. Sergey Tsivilev noted the excellent preparation for the Games.
"I thank everyone who took part in the preparation for the 2nd Winter Children of Asia International Sports Games. But this is not the end of the work, we will make a Ski Jumping Base here, so that athletes from other regions will come to Kuzbass to train. We will gradually improve all the trampolines so that Yugus can host international level competitions and Kuzbass residents can train with pleasure", Sergey Tsivilev said.
Ski Jumping and Alpine Skiing competitions (Super Giant, Giant Slalom, Slalom and team events) will be held at the Games in Mezhdurechensk.
"I am very glad and proud that Kuzbass is greatly honored to host the 2nd Winter Children of Asia International Sports Games, especially at such a difficult moment for the country. Athletes from 12 countries and 8 regions of Russia will come to us, we are ready to meet them properly. Our young athletes will also compete, this year we decided to form a separate Kuzbass team. I invite everyone to come to the Games and cheer for our athletes, it will cause a storm of positive emotions", said Sergey Tsivilev.
Mezhdurechensk torch relay stage started from the sports venue, that is really important for this town – "Zvezdniy" Sports Complex. The torchbearers team included 15 people. The first torchbearer was Deputy Director for Methodological work of the SSOR (Sports School of Olympic Reserve) for Alpine Skiing, Tatiana Provorkina. Also, the relay participants were: Master of Sports of Russia of International Class in Alpine Skiing, participant of two Olympic Games Vancouver 2010 and Sochi 2014, Winner of the European Cup 2013 - Sergey Maitakov; Master of Sports of Russia, Winner of the Cup of Russia and medalist of the Russian Ski Jumping Championship - Konstantin Nikolaev; Master of Sports of Russia in Alpine Skiing, champion of Russia, participant of the World Championship - Daria Ivanova and other athletes.
"For me, the torch relay is a ceremony I really pleased to attend. It's nice to open the Children of Asia International Sports Games, I’m greatly honored. I expect that all the athletes will show good performances, our city will host young athletes at the appropriate level, and the starts will be excellent. Children of Asia is a very big contribution to the development of children's sports. I hope that the Games will become an impetus for sport-loving Mezhdurechensk and a new generation of young champions will appear", said Konstantin Nikolaev.
The torch relay ended in Mezhdurechensk on the Prazdnichnaya Square. There is a countdown clock of the 2nd Winter Children of Asia International Sports Games. The Games flame was transferred to Kemerovo in a special lantern. In Kemerovo, the torch relay will be held on February 25. After that, the symbol of the 2nd Winter Children of Asia International Sports Games will be solemnly delivered to the Opening Ceremony at the Kuzbass Ice Palace.
The solemn lighting ceremony of the 2nd Winter Children of Asia International Sports Games was held on January 21 on the territory of the Lena Pillars National Park in Yakutia, the birthplace of the Games. Novokuznetsk became the first city to host the relay in Kuzbass on January 24. 23 torchbearers carried the flame through the central streets of the city. Tashtagol municipal district took over the baton on February 2 and handed it over to Mezhdurechensk.
From the lighting ceremony and throughout the entire relay route, the symbol is accompanied by the flame keepers. Flame keepers team includes 4 professional Kuzbass athletes.
Sergey Tsivilev also inspected the Yugus Winter Sports Center, where a number of major changes were made shortly before the Children of Asia International Sports Games. Two trampolines have been completely reconstructed: the K-40m training ski jump and the K-62m. The largest K-90m ski jump is also planned to be reconstructed. A new chairlift was built, which will allow ski jumpers to climb faster and easier during training sessions and competitions. The referee towers, the Winter Sports Center and utilities were repaired. Waxing stations as well as locker rooms were installed. In addition, an Italian-made Prinoth ratrac appeared on Yugus this year, it replaced one of the outdated devices. Two cars compact and prepare snow slopes in winter. The new technique is suitable for preparing steep mountain tracks, and it will also perfectly cope with compacting snow for landing on trampolines. Sergey Tsivilev noted the excellent preparation for the Games.
"I thank everyone who took part in the preparation for the 2nd Winter Children of Asia International Sports Games. But this is not the end of the work, we will make a Ski Jumping Base here, so that athletes from other regions will come to Kuzbass to train. We will gradually improve all the trampolines so that Yugus can host international level competitions and Kuzbass residents can train with pleasure", Sergey Tsivilev said.
Ski Jumping and Alpine Skiing competitions (Super Giant, Giant Slalom, Slalom and team events) will be held at the Games in Mezhdurechensk.