Tashkent, Uzbekistan, August 15, 2021: The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, met and congratulated the country’s athletes who participated at the Tokyo Olympics at a ceremony held on Friday, August 13.
The head of state congratulated everyone on the great victory of the national team of Uzbekistan at the event which was also attended by top officials of the National Olympic Committee and sports federations, parents of athletes, and representatives of state and public organisations. It was also revealed that cash awards will be given to the medal winners.
President Mirziyoyev thanked the parents and coaches of the athletes, and had special mention for gymnast Oksana Chusovitina who had taken part in her eighth consecutive Olympics, which is a world record.
“We are rightly proud of such a legendary athlete,” President Mirziyoyev said. Chusovitina was awarded the title of ‘Honoured Sports Teacher of the Republic of Uzbekistan’.
The Cabinet of Ministers were instructed by the President to establish sports schools in the names of Chusovitina and boxer Bakhodir Jalolov, who won a gold medal in Tokyo in the super heavyweight category.
Uzbekistan was represented by their largest contingent ever at an Olympic Games, 71 athletes in 17 sports.
They returned home with three gold medals - from Jalolov, Ulugbek Rashitov (taekwondo) and weightlifter Akbar Djuraev - and two bronze medals won by judoka Davlat Bobonov and wrestler Bekzod Abdurakhmonov.
Another significant aspect of the Uzbekistan contingent was that there were 28 women among the 71 athletes, underscoring the development of women’s sports in the country.
All three gold medallists will be awarded US$200,000 each, while the two bronze medallists will each receive US$50,000. In addition, the coaches of the gold medal winners will receive US$40,000, and the coaches of the bronze medal winners will receive US$20,000.
President Mirziyoyev stressed that importance should be placed on sports education and the introduction of modern methods and practices with emphasis also being placed on team sports.
A total revamp of the sports system was also called for by the President, who pointed out that some of the sports schools were not effective. Uzbekistan has 329 sports schools which employ 13,000 coaches. There are over 328,000 students in these schools involved in more than 30 sports.
Talent identification was also highlighted as an important aspect looking ahead to the 2024 Paris Olympics and the future.
