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BelSU Adaptive Sports: Expanding Opportunities for All

BelSU Adaptive Sports: Expanding Opportunities for All

The Svetlana Khorkina Sports Centre recently hosted an adaptive sports event as part of the All-Russia GTO Festival for athletes with disabilities.

This festival was organized under the Priority-2030 Programme’s initiative, “You Are Not Alone!” which aims to enhance the regional system of adaptive sports activities.

The opening ceremony featured esteemed guests, including Natalya Zhigalova, the Minister of Sports for the Belgorod Region, and Elena Strizhakova, the Director of the Vershina Centre for Adaptive Sports.

Volunteers from the BelSU Faculty of Physical Culture accompanied the athletes, creating a supportive environment for the event, which attracted around 200 children and adults from Belgorod and its surrounding areas.

Minister Zhigalova highlighted that the Belgorod Region is a leader in the GTO movement and is making significant strides in adaptive sports. She attributed this progress largely to the “You Are Not Alone!” project initiated by BelSU in 2022, which has received strong backing from the Governor and the Belgorod Regional Government.

‘I would like to extend my gratitude to the Rector of Belgorod National Research University. I am truly thankful for our collaborative efforts in promoting sports. This university is a beacon of athleticism; not only does it nurture champions, but it also cultivates compassionate individuals who are here to support you in overcoming challenges,’ noted Zhigalova.

In her welcoming address, BelSU Rector Evgeniya Karlovskaya emphasized the university’s commitment to expanding its efforts in adaptive sports.

‘We have participants from all over the region today. Thank you for showing your courage and determination to showcase your abilities. You've got this!’ she encouraged.

Alexander Voronkov, Director of the BelSU GTO Complex Testing Centre and head of the Department of Sports Disciplines, highlighted that the festival serves to raise awareness about the opportunities available to individuals with disabilities in Belgorod. It also provides valuable information on preparing for and achieving GTO standards, encouraging more residents to engage in regular physical activity.

The core concept of the "You Are Not Alone!" project involves pairing athletes with disabilities or special needs with able-bodied partners in teams of two. Organizers noted that everyone who steps onto the gym floor to test their strength and strive for GTO standards is already a winner. During the award ceremony, participants who successfully met last year’s GTO standards were presented with golden badges of distinction. Since the project’s inception, over 500 individuals with disabilities from various regions of Belgorod have been introduced to the GTO complex.

BelSU, photos credit: BelSU Media Service

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11.12.2024

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