28.04.09

Next Karelin Prize Tournament will take place in Novosibirsk.

Yesterday the Governor of the Novosibirsk region Victor Tolokonskii had a meeting with the Russian Hero and the three times Olympic Gold winner Aleksander Karelin. Future plans for the organization in Novosibirsk of the 18-th International Tournament “Karelin Prize” in Greco-Roman wrestling were discussed.  
There are plans for the tournament to take place in the Entertainment and  Sport Complex “Siberia” in mid-October. In this competition 200 athletes between the age of 15 and 16 will take part. These will include Russian and International participants coming from the leading Greco-Roman sport schools. Traditionally this competition is the first step towards being accepted in the national Russian team and consequently participating in the European Youth Championship in 2010. The organization of the tournament will be financed by companies from supervisory and trustee boards of Karelin Fund.

“I appreciate the Governor Viktor Tolokonskii’s big attention towards developing sports and promoting healthy life style”, - A.Karelin said. Today our region has all the necessary infrastructure to be able to hold such international sport competitions. “Siberia” Entertainment and Sport complex can take 6000 spectators and its hotel can host all participants and guests related to the tournament.  Preparations planned for this tournament are on a big scale, and for this reason the Governor Victor Tolokonskii has decided to lead the Organization Committee. His support will definitely push the level of the tournament organization up to a very high level.”   

“In 2007 we set out on a five years  plan for Karelin Prize tournament and the 2009 competition will also carry the  same slogan - “Strength from Traditions”,  - Karelin added. “However, a few other things will change. In the first place, a few changes will take place regarding the opening ceremony of the tournament. At current moment some work has already started on this. Another change will also mean that spectators will be involved in the ceremony itself. I have strong faith that all the seating area reserved for spectators must be occupied. We have already thought about how to make this possible. Firstly, we plan to organize groups of supporters which will consist of  children from ordinary schools and orphanages from Novosibirsk’s region.  Secondly, during the tournament at the “Siberia” entertainment and sport complex these children will take part in joint practice lessons with famous Russian athletes. This will include traditional Russian wrestling and “Funny Starts”. Entrance for this tournament will be free of charge”.