L. P. ABRAMOVA, S. P. EVSEEV, O. V. SEMENOVA TOOK PART IN THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE III ALL RUSSIAN WINTER SPORTS CONTEST OF DISABLED PEOPLE IN KRASNOYARSK

Vice-President of the Russian Paralympic Committee, President of the Federation of Sports for the Blind Lidia Abramova, Vice-President of the RCC, President of the All-Russian Federation of Sports for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities Sergey Evseev, Vice-President of the All-Russian Federation of Sports for Persons with Musculoskeletal Disorders, 3-time champion of the Paralympic Games Olga Semenova in Krasnoyarsk (Krasnoyarsk Territory) took part in the opening ceremony of the III All-Russian Winter Sports Games for the Disabled.

The solemn event as held at the Ivan Yarygin Sports Palace. It was held in the format of a motivational show with special effects and creative numbers.

Before the performance, the audience was shown videos with the participation of the ambassadors of the Sports Contest. Young athletes learned the stories of Natalia Ryzhova, Nikolai Shuvalov, Marina Dobrovidova, Vladimir Karataev and Viktor Alexandrov – paraathletes who made a name for themselves in sports and achieved victories despite their disabilities. The ambassadors themselves also attended the ceremony and talked with the athletes.The main focus of the show was on overcoming yourself and achieving the highest results. On the screen, the People's Artist of Russia Konstantin Khabensky inspired the young athletes to win. A popular dance group "Yudi" told the story of Eugene - a member of the collective with disabilities.

Natalia Ryzhova, a wheelchair athlete who leads a full and active life, despite the amputation of her legs, showed her creative act. Together with her, the theater "These Children", the dance theater "Calypso" and the free ballet group of Valery Tereshkin took the stage. Then Natalia was given the honorary mission to raise the flag of the Sports Contest together with famous athletes-two-time Deaflympic champion in taekwondo Marina Dobrovidova and two-time world champion in athletics Artem Muratov.

After raising the flag, participants from 31 regions of Russia took the stage. The audience greeted each athlete with applause. The parade was closed by the Krasnoyarsk Territory national team as the hosts. The official part ended with a welcoming speech by the Minister of Sports of Russia Oleg Matytsin and the Governor of the Krasnoyarsk Territory Alexander Uss.

"Athletes show us an example of love for life, trust and support for each other –" Oleg Matytsin said. – I am glad that we can hold such events together. This proves once again that sport teaches you to overcome. Despite the pandemic, the entire sports family was together and proved that they can work together. Children should not feel any restrictions, because their every day is going beyond the limits. Our task is to make their dreams come true."

Governor Alexander Uss noted that the Sports Contest is very important for Krasnoyarsk and the region as a whole. "Its participants are people of a special disposition and willpower, who go forward no matter what. I am sure that that spirit at the opening ceremony will become a bearing rod for all athletes, and we will witness bright victories and pleasant human communication."

At the end of the performance, each participant of the Sports contest received a text message on their mobile phone: "Be who you dream of! It's your day! This is your time! Go forward to victory!"

More than 500 athletes from 31 regions of Russia will take part in the competitions of the III All – Russian Winter Sports Contest for Disabled People, which is held within the framework of the federal project "Sport-the norm of life" of the national project "Demography". The starts will be held in the Krasnoyarsk Curling Arena, the Bobrovy Log fanpark and the Raduga multifunctional sports complex.

Lidia Abramova and Olga Semenova also took part in the award ceremonies for the winners and prize-winners of the first day of the competition.

With the use of materials of the Ministry of Sports of the Krasnoyarsk Territory.