A session entitled “BRICS – New Opportunities for Multipolar Sports Development” was held in St. Petersburg as part of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. The session was attended by Mikhail Degtyarev, Minister of Sport of Russia; Vladimir Leonov, Minister of Sport of the Republic of Tatarstan; Dmitry Tarasov, Head of the BRICS Marathon League; and Nikita Nagorny, Olympic champion.
Mikhail Degtyarev noted that the BRICS Games are not an alternative to the Olympic Games, but a new format of sports interaction between the countries, which promotes the development of the sports agenda. The Minister emphasised that the BRICS countries have been contesting with each other since 2016 as a form of a healthy tradition.
Vladimir Leonov further commented on the high competition expected at the tournament.
“We have engaged top athletes to participate in the Games. Belarus will arrive first, and there will be large delegations from China, India, and Uzbekistan. The competition will be tough, the stakes have never been higher. A lot of teams will arrive to make these Games truly worthwhile”, said Vladimir Leonov.
“The international competitions that are organised in our country are the only thing that makes me go and hit the gym these days. The BRICS Games are the most important motivation for us to train and the primary reason to continue our careers”, shared Nikita Nagorny.
It should be noted that during the session, an initiation ceremony of the Olympic champions Alina Zagitova and Alexander Povetkin as the BRICS Games Ambassadors took place.
“I am very pleased to be the Ambassador of the BRICS Games. I hope that in the future there will be a winter format of this tournament that includes figure skating among the disciplines. I am sure that this will increase the popularity of our sport in Africa and South America”, said Alina Zagitova.
The BRICS Games will be held in Kazan from 12 to 23 June. About 5,000 athletes from 97 countries are expected to participate. Tickets for the Games can be purchased on the BRICS Games official website or on kassir.ru, the tournament’s official partner.