The message reads, in part:
“These large-scale competitions with a wide representation carry an important and responsible mission of promoting and spreading Olympic values, developing children’s and youth sports, and enhancing friendship and mutual understanding between people.
I am confident that the Games will be a real holiday for the young participants, an opportunity to show their abilities, strong will and commitment to win and to get involved in the world of big sports. This will also be an unforgettable and happy event for everyone attending it.
I sincerely wish the Children Of Asia International Winter Sports Games to establish their own traditions, uniting gifted, enthusiastic young people from Russia and other countries around their noble goals.”
The Children Of Asia games are being held in Sakhalin on February 9–16. Around 1,200 young athletes from 20 countries will compete in eight disciplines – alpine skiing, snowboarding, biathlon, cross-country skiing, ski jumping, figure skating, short track and ice hockey.