The opening ceremony of the Biathlon World Championships among juniors and youth was held in Shchuchinsk. More than 500 athletes from 38 countries will take part in the competition. Among them are Sweden, the United States, South Korea, France, Germany, Norway, Austria, Japan, the United Kingdom and others, El.kz y reports with reference to the press service of the Ministry of Culture and Sports of Kazakhstan.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev addressed the participants and organizers of the tournament.
"I congratulate you on the opening of the Biathlon World Junior Championships. Kazakhstan pays special attention to the development of mass sports. Sports facilities are being built, sections for children are being opened, conditions are being created for the development of the younger generation. I express my gratitude to the International Biathlon Union for its help in organizing this large-scale event. I am sure that the World Championships will give impetus to the development of biathlon in Kazakhstan," the official greeting of the Head of State says.
The solemn ceremony was held at the ski and biathlon stadium of the Olympic Training Center for Winter Sports, where the competitions will be held.
“Kazakhstan is hosting a biathlon tournament of this level for the first time. This is especially important in light of the recent successes of young Kazakhstani athletes at the Winter Universiade in the United States and other major competitions. Our biathlon definitely has a future, and I am sure that this championship will increase the interest of our citizens not only in this discipline, but also in winter sports, in general. This is one of our main tasks," Vice Minister of Culture and Sports Sarsen Kuranbek said.