The Ryazan Region Week opened with a dialogue on sport
The Ryazan Region Week at the National Centre RUSSIA began with the educational lecture "Success. Sport. Achievements". Athletes representing the region at tournaments in Russia and internationally spoke about professional sport, their achievements, challenges, and dreams. The event was organised by the Ministry of Physical Culture and Sport of the Ryazan Region and was held at the "Space of Opportunities", a modern educational and cultural venue of the National Centre RUSSIA designed for children and young people. The meeting was held in a moderated discussion format.
The speakers included honoured athletes: multiple world and European champion and a member of the Russian national athletics team among athletes with musculoskeletal disorders, Honoured Master of Sport Maria Bogacheva; world and European championship medallist, Honoured Master of Sport of the Russian Federation, and judo coach at the Ryazan sports school Kometa Mikhail Pulyaev; Master of Sport of the Russian Federation in judo, European junior championship medallist, and graduate of the Kometa sports school Alexandra Shestopalova; and International Master of Sport, multiple champion of Russia and Europe in taekwondo Andrei Kanayev.
Sport begins with a dream of a major victory and strong self-discipline. Maria Bogacheva said that it is worth considering a professional sports career when you do not see yourself in other areas of life. She noted that many sports and fitness facilities have been built in the Ryazan region in recent years, which has contributed to the emergence of new athletes and champions.
The discussion participants emphasised that the goal of a professional athlete is a gold medal at competitions, with the Olympic medal being the ultimate one. Addressing young people, the Acting Minister of Physical Culture and Sport of the Ryazan Region, Vitaly Shabanov, urged them to follow the example set by the four distinguished Ryazan athletes — people of strong will and iron discipline who have repeatedly demonstrated a high level of sporting excellence.
"These are people you can meet in person and look up to. I sometimes hear the view that we should focus on grassroots sport and ask why we need champions. Grassroots sport is certainly important. But we also need champions. When we look at the sky, what do we see? Stars. And these athletes are the stars of the Ryazan region," said Vitaly Shabanov.
Answering a question from the audience about when to consider a coaching career, Mikhail Pulyaev said that this should only be done after completing a professional sporting career.
"I cannot speak for other sports, but in judo a coach demonstrates techniques to their trainees through personal example. When it comes to the qualities a mentor needs in order to achieve results from athletes, I believe these are high standards and determination," said Mikhail Pulyaev.
The Ryazan Region Days at the National Centre RUSSIA are being held from 23 to 28 December. More information about the planned events is available on the website and in the "Events" section.
The unusual art object was created by the National Centre RUSSIA together with the Government of the Tambov Region and the Kotovsk Nevalyashka Factory.
Natalia Virtuozova is convinced that visiting expositions in person remains especially important.
