The head of state emphasized the importance of the XXV Winter Olympic Games and the XIV Winter Paralympic Games, which will take place in Italy and gather the best athletes from around the world in one venue.
About 40 Kazakh athletes will participate in the Olympic Games, representing 10 sports. For many of them, this will be their first experience in such significant competitions. On the way to the Winter Olympics, our athletes have demonstrated impressive results at international tournaments, winning 17 gold, 31 silver, and 21 bronze medals.
Tokayev expressed hope for the success of the athletes who will represent the country at the Paralympic Games this March. Currently, Kazakhstan has already received 10 licenses to participate, and there is a possibility of increasing this number.
The president emphasized that passing the rigorous qualification process for the Olympic team indicates the high potential and determination of the athletes to win. He also noted that over the years of independence, Kazakh athletes have repeatedly demonstrated their high professionalism at the Winter Olympics. The names of athletes such as Vladimir Smirnov, Lyudmila Prokasheva, Elena Krustaleva, Denis Ten, and Yulia Galysheva will forever remain in the history of Kazakh sports.
According to Tokayev, successes in sports become a common asset of the people, strengthening national unity and enhancing Kazakhstan's authority on the world stage. He added that the achievements of each athlete are a success for the entire nation, and the honor of each athlete reflects the prestige of the whole country.
The president expressed confidence that the efforts of the athletes will be rewarded, and they will return home with victories, noting that the entire Kazakh people will support them. At the end of the meeting, Tokayev presented the State Flag of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the members of the national team: Denis Nikish, Ayaulem Amrenova, and Yerbol Khamitov from the Paralympic team.
