Christmas children’s athletics festival Three Hundred Talents for the Queen

Belarusian sports federations should follow the lead of the Belarusian Athletics Federation which held the Christmas children’s athletics festival Three Hundred Talents for the Queen, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at the opening of the festival on 26 December.

This festival is held in Belarus for the first time. It aims to reveal young talents. The event is held in four stages. Belarus President and President of the National Olympic Committee Aleksandr Lukashenko visited the final stage of the competition. The search for new talents is one of the main priorities for the President.

Addressing young participants of the sports festival, the head of state said: “I am very glad that it is not ice hockey but the track and field event that has brought us together in winter to celebrate New Year,” the head of state stressed.

According to the President, track and field athletics is not by accident called “the queen of sport”. It attracts a lot of people, includes many competitions and is rich in records. The President stressed that the majority of medals at the Olympic Games are won in track and field events.

“Track and field athletics is extremely popular with sports fans and is the foundation for all sports. Today, in the new track and field indoor arena of the Belarusian State University of Physical Education, three hundred strong and nimble boys and girls from all over Belarus will demonstrate their athletic skills. I am convinced that there are future champions who will confirm that image of our state as the country of sport in the international arena among you. We strongly hope that you will continue the glorious traditions of your country,” the head of state remarked.

Aleksandr Lukashenko noted even if that some participants of the today’s festival do not devote themselves to elite sport but go in for sport for their own pleasure, it will bring huge benefits to the state because the country needs smart and strong people.

The head of state stressed that all conditions, including sports grounds, gyms and stadiums, have been created in Belarus. In his words, all that has been done to strengthen children’s health and physique.

The President liked the idea of holding the events similar to the one initiated by Chairman of the Belarusian Athletics Federation Vadim Devyatovsky.

“I strongly hope that other sports federations will follow the lead of the Belarusian Athletics Federation. Renowned athlete Vadim Devyatovsky will share his experience of holding such mass events. We have good examples – the Golden Puck tournament, the Leather Ball tournament, but there have been no such results,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. He expressed hope that this is not a formal event, but the event that will give an opportunity to reveal young talents at the initial stage and to turn them into world record holders in the future.

The President told young participants of the competition: “Winter vacations have begun at schools. You have already seen the beauty of our capital city and its New Year decorations, attended a circus performance. I hope that this competition will become a true festival for you.”

The head of state thanked the couches and parents of young athletes who have gathered together from all regions of Belarus. Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed that they will help turn the children into true athletes. The parents who will dare to do it are true heroes and an example for all of us, he added.

Aleksandr Lukashenko wished Happy New Year and Merry Christmas to all participants of the competitions and wished them fair play and unforgettable impressions. “In a little while, you will be remembering this day with pride. The strongest will definitely win,” the head of state noted.

After the competition children present a book with their wishes to the President.

The event was attended by First Vice President of the International Association of Athletics Federations, Olympic champion Sergey Bubka. He came to Minsk support the new promising initiative.

The President of the Belarusian National Olympic Committee and the First Vice President of the International Association of Athletics Federations shared their opinions about the development of sport, including athletics.