Modern Russia needs to develop Cossack communities and preserve their historic culture and uniqueness, the Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said in a call to participants of the first all-Russian Olympics of pre-conscript aged Cossack youth, which started in Krasnodar today. The call was read out by the chairman of the council for Cossack affairs, Alexander Beglov, Yuga.ru reports.
Beglov recalled that it was Medvedev who ordered the first Olympics of Cossack youth to be organized. It was dedicated to the 65th anniversary of the Great Victory. Over 100 people are participating in the competition, consisting of 6 kinds of sport: military close fighting, running, horseriding, swimming, chin-ups and shooting.
The Cossack chieftain of Kuban, Nikolay Doluda, said at the opening of the competitions that it is important to hold competitions between various Cossack communities. It will enrich them and allow new champions to appear.
