Sochi hosts the international sporting event, the World Games of Young Compatriots, which will be held on April 23-29 with the support of the Russian government. About 600 Russian-speaking children and adolescents from 46 countries of Europe, Asia and America came to these games, which are held for second time. They will compete in six sport disciplines: mini-football, basketball, volleyball, chess, swimming and table tennis. They will be also acquainted with Russian culture.
In addition to the competitions young athletes of the 2nd World Games will have an extensive cultural program, they will also be able to participate in the events dedicated to the celebration of the Victory Day and visit the excursion programs. Much attention will be paid to improve the level of knowledge of the Russian language among the athletes, they will be acquainted with Russian culture and literature. Each team of young compatriots will have a mentor, a representative of the international volunteer program ‘Ambassadors of the Russian language in the world’, RIA Novosti reports.
In addition, the event will bring together young journalists, the representatives of political, public, academic and business circles of the foreign countries, visiting Russia to share experiences.
" 30 million of our fellow citizens live abroad now. All of them are trying to maintain contacts with Russia, they are proud of their history and culture. It is very important to develop a dialogue with the Russian diaspora around the world, to protect their interests and help them to preserve their cultural identity. The World Games of Young Compatriots help us with this. With regard to the site selection, Sochi offers the modern sports facilities. Many kids really wanted to see the Olympic venues with their own eyes,’’ one of the organizers of the games, a three-time Olympic champion, the member of the State Duma, the president of the All-Russian School Sport Federation, Irina Rodnina, said.
The sportswoman explained the reasons for such selection of these kinds of sports: "This is the most popular sports among schoolchildren around the world, first of all, we focus precisely on this. The sports grounds for each of the six species are almost in every school regardless of the country. We will certainly ask our participants of the Games about including new species. If kids offer us something to add, we will take into account all their wishes,’’ Irina Rodnina said.
A lot of different and interesting events are planned for children from all around the world: the laying of wreaths at the victory memorial, the laying of the Alley of Compatriots, creative competitions, visiting Sochi schools and acquaintance with Russian peers, intellectual games on knowledge of the history, traditions and culture of Russia . The participants will communicate with the ambassadors of the Russian language, fixed to the delegations as mentors during all the days of the Games. They are waiting for a meeting with Russian and foreign journalists. And, of course, the spectacular final chord will be great ‘Bonfire of Friendship’ and the closing ceremony and the awarding of the winners, a deputy of the State Duma said.
"You know, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin said the right thing that sport should be above politics. I support him completely. Sport should unite, to become a kind of a bridge of friendship. We hope very much that all participants will become friends, will compete in a fair way. We hope that the participants will find many friends from all over the world,’’ the three-time Olympic champion said.
