Presidential Olympics Launch in Uzbekistan with 3,000 Young Athletes

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — President Shavkat Mirziyoyev attended the opening ceremony of the first-ever Presidential Olympics, held at the Olympic Village Stadium on 26 November. The event brought together the country’s top young athletes — winners of regional qualifiers as well as world, Asian and Olympic champions.

In his address, the President said the new initiative unites young people around the values of the Olympic movement and marks a major step in strengthening state support for sports. Over the past eight years, funding for the sector has increased more than tenfold — from 250 billion to 3 trillion soums. Average coaches’ salaries have risen sevenfold. More than 250 major sports facilities have been built and around 100 have been renovated. In mahallas, including remote rural areas, about 2,000 sports grounds have been created, and 14 Olympic and Paralympic centers have been fully modernized.

These efforts, he noted, have laid a solid foundation for international success. Uzbekistan placed 13th at the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games, performed strongly at the Universiade, Asian Youth Games and Islamic Solidarity Games, and its young athletes set more than 50 world-level records. Mirziyoyev also highlighted the national football team’s historic qualification for the FIFA World Cup and the achievements of chess grandmasters — including Javokhir Sindarov, who secured a place in the Candidates Tournament.

The President stressed the need to strengthen athlete development from the mahalla level. This year, 15 million people took part in mass sports events. The number of parasport athletes has grown nearly sevenfold in three years, and more than 70,000 people with disabilities have joined mass sports. Digital tools now ensure equal opportunities for schoolchildren across 10,000 schools and 9,000 districts.

Mirziyoyev presented the structure of the new Presidential Olympics talent system. More than 100,000 young athletes participated in district and regional stages. Over 3,000 winners have arrived in Tashkent to compete in ten sports. Top performers will receive cash prizes, join national teams, and continue training at Olympic and Paralympic centers. All finalists will receive special scholarships. The program will expand in the coming years, increasing the number of sports to 20.

The President also reminded that Uzbekistan will host major upcoming international events — the 2026 Chess Olympiad, the 2027 FIFA U-20 World Cup and the 2029 Asian Youth Games. These events, he said, will further strengthen the country’s global sports profile and help athletes secure more Olympic licenses for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.

During his speech, Mirziyoyev paused to announce Sindarov’s victory in the Chess World Cup final — the stadium responded with applause. He emphasized the educational power of sport and the importance of building a healthy generation.

The ceremony concluded with the raising of the national flag, the anthem, the lighting of the Olympic flame and a large theatrical performance.

Later, President Mirziyoyev held a phone call with Sindarov, congratulating him personally and on behalf of the nation for his historic victory in India and wishing him success at next year’s Candidates Tournament in Cyprus.