Last weekend Ukraine has celebrated the Centenary of Olympic Kyiv. International Olympic Committee Members, National Olympic Committees Presidents and guests from 30 countries visited the capital-city of Ukraine on the invitation of the NOC President Sergey Bubka.
In 1913 the I Russian Olympiad was held in Kyiv. On May 25, 1913, on the basis of the Olympiad Organizing Committee there was established the Kyiv Olympic Committee.
Prime Minister of Ukraine Mykola Azarov and Kyiv City Mayor Oleksandr Popov met the honorable guests and IOC Members – Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, Aicha Garad Ali, Austin Sealy, Meliton Sanches Rivas, Julio Cesar Maglione, Dae Sung Moon, Ung Chang, Alex Gilady, Leo Wallner, Shamil Tarpischev and Irena Szewinska.
The opening of the International Centre of Olympic Research and Olympic Education gave a start to the large-scale celebration. President of the NOC of Ukraine Sergey Bubka, President of the Center Maria Bulatova and Rector of the National University of Physical Education and Sport Yevhen Imas cut the ribbon at the official opening ceremony. During 20 years the NOC of Ukraine, the Olympic Academy and the University have been issuing a large number of unique Olympic literature - educational books for children and encyclopedias in many volumes.
These editions have received a high international evaluation. The literature was published in English on the request of the European Olympic Committees for the European Youth Olympic Festival participants. The books are also used by the International Olympic Academy for Youth Olympic Games educational development program.
The International Scientific and Practical Conference "Olympic Sport: Past and Present" which was dedicated to the centennial of the I Russian Olympiad continued the celebration program. Approximately 400 scientists from 30 countries took part in the meeting of the international forum.
The Olympic exhibition was opened in the Kyiv History Museum. It was devoted to the centennial of the I Russian Olympiad and the creation of the Kyiv Olympic Committee. Kyiv residents and visitors have got an excellent opportunity to see unique exhibits – I Russian Olympiad 1913 medals, badge of the participant, tournament photos and personals Olympians belongings.
Apart from this the NOC of Ukraine together with "Ukrposhta" (The Ukrainian National postal operator) presented the postal unit. It was made especially for the Centenary of Olympic Kyiv. The first postage-stamps were given to the Museum of Sports Glory of Ukraine and the Kyiv History Museum.
The Olympic Day was a wonderful conclusion of the Centenary of Olympic Kyiv. Ukrainians have been celebrating the creation of the International Olympic Committee (23rd of June 1894) by mass sports actions every year. This year Olympic Day slogan was "History was... Future is yours".
Last year over 800 000 Ukrainians and over 5000 Kyiv residents celebrated the Olympic Day. This year the main street of Ukraine Khreshchatyk was very crowded and the record of participants will be updated again.
Sports fans asked for autographs and took photos with Olympic champions and medalists Iryna Merleni (Female Wrestling), Olena Kostevych (Shooting), Elizaveta Bryzgina (Athletics), Roman Hontyuk (Judo), Anna Bessonova (Rhythmic Gymnastics), Olena Sadovnycha (Archery), Denys Gotfrid (Weightlifting), Oleg Stepko (Artistic Gymnastics), Olena Petrova (Biathlon), Olena Zaspa (Handball), Olena Tsyhytsya (Handball) and many others.
The Olympic Day participants had the opportunity to practice 35 kinds of sports at the especially equipped areas. They also could get master classes from famous Ukrainian athletes or coaches, participate at the Olympic history quiz and get presents from the NOC of Ukraine.
"I am pleased to say that the Olympic movement has more fans in our country from year to year", Sergey Bubka said. "And it is vitally important that young people take very active part in sports events. So, together we will bring up a healthy Ukrainian nation".
