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Svetlana Khorkina, a two-time Olympic champion and winner of multiple awards in artistic gymnastic, now the first deputy of the head of the Central Sport Club of the RF Army met with the governor of the region Ivan Belozertsev, alongside with the head of the Federal Centre of Sport Reserves Konstantin Vyrupayev, to discuss the results of the Youth Sport Games.

‘I think that the 2018 Youth Sport Games was an absolute success here, in Penza. Everything was conducted at the highest level. I talked to the athletes and everyone said that the conditions for living, training and performing were just excellent. I am of the opinion that if you create good conditions for the competitors and they feel comfortable, then there will be sport results,’ said the former gymnast.

‘It is vital that common everyday problems should not mar the impressions of the Penza region. We continuously take care of all our sport facilities, as well as hotels and residential services that accommodate the competing athletes,’ stressed Ivan Belozertsev.

‘Personally, Burtasy Sports Arena is a place, which is near and dear to me. I have come here quite a few times during my sports career and I can give an objective assessment how the competitions are organized here,’ said Svetlana Khorkina.

The governor also talked on the most popular sports in the Penza region.

‘Traditionally, our schools of swimming, platform diving and cycling are very strong. Yet, the artistic gymnastics is perhaps the jewel in the crown,’ the governor said.

The guest also noted that there are several sport centres, apart from Burtasy, that the region can really be proud of.

‘I have seen the Ice Skating Arena, the Fighting Arts Centre and I was deeply impressed by them,’ said Svetlana Khorkina.

‘We are trying to popularize amateur sport mainly because it feeds the professional sport. Apart from that, children and teenagers have an engaging occupation, which also contributes to good looks and good health,’ the governor summed up.

The Youth Sport Games were conducted in Russia from May 8th through August 22nd in 13 different regions of Russia, the competitions were held in 42 sports. Penza hosted the competitions in 23 sports. More than 6 thousand athletes participated in them. The results of the Games for the Penza region are the 1st place in team rating among other RF regions with population up to 2 million people.