Tashkent Hosted the Closing Ceremony of the Second Presidential Olympiad

The International Sports Festival GTO — Global Test Opportunity — will take place in Tashkent on November 14. Participants will be able to test their physical fitness, meet the requirements of Russian and Uzbek sports programs, and compete to set records.

The event is organized by the All-Russian Public Organization 'Ready for Labor and Defense' of the Federation of Comprehensive Sports with the support of the Ministries of Sport of Uzbekistan and Russia, as well as the Russian Sports Fund.

The festival will run from 10:00 to 17:00 at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Olympic Village, located on Yangi Uzbekistan Street in the Yashnabad district. Entry is free, but visitors must register on the website gto.ru.

Participation Formats

The program includes several formats. In the 'GTO Badge of Honor' category, participants complete tests at 13 stations corresponding to physical fitness standards depending on age and gender. This format is exclusively available to citizens of Russia.

Citizens of Uzbekistan can complete the standards of national physical culture and sports programs: 'Alpomosh' for men and boys, and 'Barchino' for women and girls.

The 'GTO Carousel' format will offer competitions for all interested parties in six age groups, where participants sequentially go through four sports disciplines. The 'Record of the Day' category will provide an opportunity to achieve the best results in standing long jump, flexibility exercises, push-ups, sit-ups, kettlebell throws, and pull-ups.

Everyone over the age of six is welcome. Successful completion of the Russian program standards may grant participants the corresponding GTO badge of honor. Residents of Uzbekistan will receive a national badge based on results in the 'Alpomosh' and 'Barchino' programs.

All participants will be issued starter kits with festival branding and certificates. Competition winners will receive commemorative medals, certificates, and prizes.

Organizers note that the festival in Tashkent will be the second event in a series of international sporting events aimed at promoting cooperation and popularizing physical culture.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev attended the opening ceremony of the second Presidential Olympiad. Over 3,500 young athletes from various regions of the country will participate in this event.

The competitions will cover 26 different sports, including both Olympic and Paralympic disciplines. Approximately 1,500 coaches are supporting the participants.

Addressing those present, the head of state congratulated the athletes, coaches, and everyone involved in sports on the start of the competitions. He emphasized that every participant arrived at the Olympiad with hope for success and their own dream.

Mirziyoyev stated: 'Each of you came to this platform with your dream, your goal, and most importantly, with great faith in victory.'

According to Mirziyoyev, a comprehensive system of sports development has been created in the country over the past years. This system covers the path from amateur activities to the professional level, including the selection of talented athletes and preparation for international starts. The President stressed that the main task of this work is to form a generation that is independent, resolute, and healthy.

He added: 'At the heart of this work is our desire to raise children to be healthy, resolute, and independently thinking people.'

Over the last decade, Uzbek athletes have won 5,518 medals at major international tournaments, 1,675 of which are gold. This figure is three times higher than the results achieved in the previous decade. Furthermore, one-third of all awards went to female athletes.

The president separately noted the triumph of the men's national team of Uzbekistan at the World Chess Olympiad, which recently took place in Samarkand. The team won for the second time, adding a new chapter to the history of Uzbek chess.

Mirziyoyev expressed his conviction that future record holders and champions will emerge among the participants of the current Olympiad, who will be able to gain recognition on the world sports stage.

The first environmental festival, EcoAtomFest, took place in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on October 24. The event was organized at the Tashkent branch of the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI and gathered participants from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia.

The festival, which concluded the Summer School and Environmental Camp of the Impact Team, combined educational sessions on sustainable development with practical environmental activities. The central event was a joint tree-planting action involving delegates from all five countries.

With support from the Russian state atomic corporation Rosatom and the Uzbek agency Uzatom, 50 apple trees were planted during the event. The program also included environmental seminars and presentations on grant support opportunities for socially beneficial projects.

Activities and Environmental Initiatives

Before planting began, volunteers instructed participants and divided them into groups. Under their guidance, the groups planted 50 apple trees in designated areas. This initiative aligns with Uzbekistan's environmental priorities, including the national project 'Yashil Makon,' launched by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in 2021.

According to organizers, Uzbekistan aims to increase the share of green spaces from the current 14.2% to 30% by 2030. The practical part of the festival covered topics such as urban ecosystems, plant care, and forming environmentally responsible daily habits.

During the festival, representatives of Oltin Qanot Volontyorlari conducted a master class on growing microgreens, while Pavel Volkov, head of the non-profit organization Indigo, spoke about methods for caring for seedlings and mature trees. Margarita Davydova, an activist from the birds.uz community and bird enthusiast, introduced participants to urban wildlife and the basics of birdwatching.

Environmental expert Mohinurkhon Ergash and the Association of Volunteers of Uzbekistan urged participants to discuss environmental problems in different regions of the country and develop ideas for their solutions. Jamshid Khakimov, chairman of the non-profit organization ECOLAND, delivered an introductory lecture on ecology.

Attendees also participated in creating eco-themed crafts and designing energy-efficient housing. Another block of the program was dedicated to opportunities for receiving financial assistance for environmental protection and public initiatives.

Grant Support and Cultural Program

Organizers presented the international Rosatom grant competition, available to relevant organizations from Uzbekistan and other participating countries. The competition supports projects related to environmental protection, raising ecological awareness, education, volunteering, assisting vulnerable groups, urban development, and other socially significant actions. Applicants can submit both new initiatives and individual stages of existing programs. Successful candidates will receive funding, as well as consulting and organizational support from experts.

The festival also featured cultural performances by young participants from various parts of Uzbekistan. The cultural program began with performances by students of Specialized General Education School No. 11 in Syrdarya region, who performed music on the dombra and danced. Aziz and Akmal Anvarov from Tashkent region presented the Andzhyan polka, and Divas Dance Studio showcased the traditional Korean dance Sarang-Mu.

Conclusion and Calls to Action

At the end of the festival, organizers noted the contribution of environmental activists to Uzbekistan's environmental protection initiatives and thanked representatives of public and volunteer organizations for their educational work. Alexandra Khidirnazarova, Head of the Department of Industrial Safety, Labor Protection, and Environmental Protection of the NPP Construction Directorate, emphasized the importance of engaging youth in practical environmental activities.

She stated: 'Environmental protection and safety culture begin with taking responsibility for our actions. That is why it is so important to involve young people not only in discussing environmental issues but also in practical work.'

Diana Gamazova, member and mentor of the International Council of Youth Consultants Impact Team 2050 and head of the 'Nuclear Energy for Central Asia' project, noted that the international program helped participants understand the interconnection between technology, the environment, and quality of life. She added that the program also fostered teamwork skills and collaborative problem-solving regarding environmental issues.

Alexey Dremuchev, CEO of Rosatom Central Asia, noted that EcoAtomFest was conceived as a platform to unite youth, volunteers, and experts to solve practical environmental challenges. He expressed hope that the festival would become a starting point for new partnerships and long-term environmental protection projects.