Dagestan filed a bid on Tuesday to the Russian Olympic Committee to host the Youth Olympic Games 2018 today, Yuga.ru cites the republic leader Magomedsalam Magomedov’s press service as saying.
Magomedov addressed Alexander Khloponin, Russian Vice-Premier and Plenipotenairty Presidential Envoy to the North Caucasian Federal District (NCFD), and head of the NCFD regions to support his initiative to host the games.
Kaspiysk is to become the host of the games in 2018.
Almost all local authorities expressed support, agreeing that such grand event would improve the image of Dagestan, boost socio-economic, cultural and humanitarian of Russia’s south and the country as a whole.
Ahmed Bilalov,Vice-President of the Olympic Committee, said that Dagestan has unique tourism opportunities that may become a great alternate site to Tunisia and Egypt. Even if Dagestan does not get to host games in 2018, it would try again in 2022.
Few people know that the largest Russian resort is Derbent, that Dagestan is the home of 16 Olympic champions, 40 world champions, that the North Caucasus gave 50 Olympic champions and 200 world champions in various kinds of sports. Some states cannot even mention one champion, Bilalov points out.
Media say that the UK, Azerbaijan, Columbia, Argentina, Nigeria and Netherlands are bidding to host the Youth Olympic Games 2018. All bids will be welcome until March 1, 2012. The host will be announced in June 2013.
