The Olympic Year is not only for Olympians" - this slogan has been confirmed in the Yakut land for many years. Since 1996, the International Sports Games "Children of Asia"have been held here every four years, that is, in the year of the Summer Olympics.

The idea of holding sports competitions among Asian children under the age of 18 belongs to the first President of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) To Mikhail Nikolaevich. According to the plan, it was planned to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the world Olympic Movement. But, as the author of the idea admits, he was guided by the desire not only to introduce the children of the Eurasian continent to sports and a healthy lifestyle, but also to give the younger generation of their native Yakutia the opportunity to compete with their peers from abroad.

The first Children of Asia Games were held in Yakutsk in August 1996. They were attended by more than 250 young athletes from China, South Korea, Thailand, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Buryatia, Tuva, Aginsky Autonomous District and, of course, Yakutia. The popularity and significance of the Games in the international sports movement is growing, as evidenced by the figures: in the II Games (August 2000), more than 1,100 people from 23 regions of Russia and 13 foreign countries participated, in the III Games (August 2004) - more than 1,500 from 11 countries and 26 regions of Russia. Young athletes from Bangladesh, Vietnam, India, Indonesia, North Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Turkey, the Philippines and Japan came to Yakutia.

In July 2008, the IV Children of Asia Games were held in three cities of Yakutia: Yakutsk, Mirny, and Neryungri. Modern sports complexes have been built here, and the capital's Tuimaada stadium, which can accommodate 12.5 thousand spectators, has become the venue for the colorful opening ceremony of the Games. It was attended by Honorary President of the Russian Olympic Committee, member of the International Olympic Committee V. Smirnov, President of Yakutia V. Shtyrov, Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council M. Nikolaev, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma N. Gerasimova.

Olympic symbols were developed for the Games. The Olympic Flame was lit at the stadium, the route of which began in the Verkhoyansk Mountains, and then continued through all the uluses of Yakutia. The Olympic Flame also visited Mongolia, South Korea and Japan.

More than 3 thousand athletes from 16 countries and 26 regions of the Russian Federation arrived to participate in the IV Games. Among the newcomers are teams from Jordan, Iran and Laos. Greetings to the participants were sent by IOC President Jacques Rogge, President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, Chairman of the Federation Council Sergey Mironov. In his message, Dmitry Medvedev noted: "International children's competitions in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) attract the attention of all sports fans without exception, open up new prospects for developing new international contacts and strengthening the authority of Russia as a great sports power that will soon host the Olympic Games in Sochi."

Competitions were held in 17 sports, which were covered by more than 800 journalists. Live TV reports from the Games were broadcast to more than 100 countries around the world.

Over the past 12 years, the international significance of these sports competitions has grown significantly. Now they are held under the patronage of the IOC. The successful holding of the Children of Asia Games, according to experts, also had a positive impact on the IOC's decision to hold the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi. Experts also believe that they will be a good start for the First Youth Games, which will be held in Singapore in 2010. In the future, it is planned to hold the Children of Asia Games next year after the Summer Olympic Games, in order to give Olympians the opportunity to participate in them.

As for the results of the IV Games, they are as follows: 1st place was taken by the first team of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), 2nd-by the team of Kazakhstan, 3rd - by the second team of Yakutia, 4th-by the team of China, 5th - by the team of India. I would like to note that the debutants of the Games, athletes from Iran, took 1st place in the football tournament.

Participants and guests were satisfied with this holiday. The Minister of Sports of the Kingdom of Thailand, Sambat Kuruphan, who led the delegation of his country, said: "We are very happy with the Games"Children of Asia". Our team performed well, and the winners and prize-winners will be the pride of our country."

Rave reviews were also left by the girls of the Indian national basketball team who won gold medals: "We are very happy with our victory. Thanks to the Children of Asia Games, we have achieved our first international success, and it will become a springboard for us in big sports." Li Wanyun, the captain of the Chinese taekwondo team, compared the competition in Yakutia to the Olympic Games: "If there was an opportunity to participate in the Games for the second time, I would definitely come without hesitation."

It is not for the sake of world or Olympic singles records that "Children of Asia" competitions are held, although some of the participants of the first Games have already become prize-winners of" adult " championships and Olympiads. But most importantly, the sports festival in Yakutia, held in the format of mutual understanding, peace and friendship, has become another channel for expanding ties between peoples.

Yakutsk - Moscow

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