Fifth International Sports Games "Children of Asia" open in Yakutia

The official opening of the V International Sports Games "Children of Asia" took place on Thursday, July 5, on Yakut stadium "Tuymaada." The ceremony was attended by President of Yakutia Egor Borisov, Deputy Minister of Sports of Russia Natalia Parshikova, deputy general director of UNESCO, Pilar Alvarez-Laso, President of the International Federation of Film and Television Sports Franco Ascani, State Duma deputies, members of the Federation Council, governors of neighboring regions and winners of the Olympic Games.

"Dear guests, we are witnessing the brightest holiday - the International Sports Games "Children of Asia" that is being held in the capital of the republic for the fifth time. The event is more than just enjoyable because the IV International Sports Forum "Russia is a Sports Power" had been successfully completed in Yakutsk by the beginning of the Games. In addition, the republic received good news regarding the further development of sports. For example, it became known that five Yakut athletes would be attending the Summer Olympic Games in London. Among them are Christina Timofeeva, Eugene Kolodko, Elizaveta Arzhakova, Stepanida Artahinova and Dmitry Balynets! "  Egor Borisov said.

According to the website of the President of the Republic of Yakutia, in the end of the speech the head of the region said that he was hoping that the event would take place at the highest level. "May I assume the V International Sports Games "Children of Asia are open, he declared.

About 5.5 thousand people took part in the theatrical opening of the Games: members of dance and theater groups of the republic, artists and circus performers. The theme of the show was the myth of the legendary ancestor of the Sakha people, the carrier of intimate knowledge - Ellyae, ITAR-TASS reports.

This year's games Children of Asia are devoted to 380th anniversary of Yakutia being a part of the Russian state, as well as to the 90th anniversary of Yakutia's autonomous republic status, as well as to the Year of the Russian history in the country and the Year of unity and friendship among peoples in the republic.

The Fifth Game Children of Asia are being held in three cities in Yakutia - Mirny, Neryungri and Yakutsk, on  July 5-16, 2012. The Games are attended by about three thousand athletes from 27 countries. Competitions are held on 20 subjects to award 230 sets of medals.