Kassym-Jomart Tokayev visits Olga Rypakova athletics center
While in his working visit to East Kazakhstan region, Kazakh Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev got familiarized with the work of the Olga Rypakova athletics center and the regional specialized children’s and youth sports school of Olympic reserve in athletics, Kazinform News Agency cites Akorda.
During the visit, Kazakhstani Olympic champion Olga Rypakova told the President that the center has all conditions to hold regular year-round training sessions. Since the launch, the center has hosted all winter athletics championships of Kazakhstan. As of now, 713 athletes undergo training in the center, who regularly take top prizes at republican and international competitions. In 2023, the center’s athletes won a total of 281 medals.
Rypakova also put forward a number of proposals to develop athletics in the country. In particular, she suggested creating a sports medicine center in the region.
Since 2015, World Athletics Continental Tour events have been held at the Olga Rypakova athletics center, allowing athletes to earn world ranking points.
Later, the Kazakh President held a talk with the athletes. Tokayev noted that the state pays special attention to improving the sports infrastructure.
The Kazakh Head of State was also informed about the main achievements of the local athletes. So, Nadezhda Dubovitskaya claimed the high jump gold at the 2023 Asian Championships in Astana. Elizaveta Matveeva was victorious at the recent 11th Asian Championships in Teheran. Last year, the region’s athletes claimed first place at the 6th Republican Athletics Spartakiad.
President Tokayev also talked to the center's young athletes and wished them success.
