Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov presented letters of thanks on behalf of the Head of State to the winners and prize-winners of the IV Winter Youth Olympic Games, which were held from January 19 to February 1 in Gangwon (Republic of Korea), El.kz reports with reference to the press service of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The Head of Government congratulated the athletes on the results achieved. He noted that the gold won is the first for Kazakhstan in the history of the Winter Olympic Games among youth. In general, in terms of the overall medal standings, the republic took 20th place among 78 countries of the world.
"Sport is an important factor in increasing the prestige of the country, strengthening people's faith in the strength and growing potential of the state. The people of Kazakhstan are proud of your victories. I am sincerely convinced that the future of our country belongs to such purposeful young athletes as you. Special thanks to the mentors and trainers who supported you on the way. Today's success is a serious bid for future Olympic achievements," said Olzhas Bektenov.
Letters of thanks were received by the winner of the IV Winter Youth Olympic Games in ski jumping Ilya Mizernykh and coach Kairat Biekenov. Bronze medalists in ice hockey were also awarded: Arseniy Kuchkovsky, Nikita Kulakov, Temirlan Aiboluly, Matvey Reshetko, Rasul Tursynov, Zhakhanger Tleukhan, Tair Bigarinov, Yegor Kravchenko, Roman Michurov, Adilkhan Sattar, Anuar Akhmetzhanov and coach Ramazan Kaidarov.