CAIC President Vladimir Maksimov has claimed that the Winter Children of Asia International Sports Games is "not only a sport but also an important cultural project" ©Children of Asia Games

Children of Asia International Committee (CAIC) President Vladimir Maksimov has claimed that the Winter Children of Asia International Sports Games is "not only a sport but also an important cultural project".

The second edition of the Winter Children of Asia International Sports Games started last week in Kuzbass, with the event set to be concluded on March 5.

The Opening Ceremony for the Games, held in the Kuzbass Ice Palace in Kemerovo, saw over 850 athletes from 12 countries and 19 united teams take part.

Athletes from Thailand, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Kuwait, Belarus, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, the Bashkortostan Republic, the Far Eastern Federal District, Moscow, the Siberian Federal District, the Ural Federal District, the Sakha Republic (Yakutia), the Republic of Tatarstan and Kuzbass were represented in the parade.

Former meal winners including Mark Asmus, Ksenia Sinitsyna, Ariadna Panchuk, Merey Akshalov, Anton Chupkov and Lilia Akhaimova carried the CAIC Flag during the Opening Ceremony.

"I want to say thank you to everyone who, together with us, prepared for the 2nd Winter Children of Asia International Sports Games and did everything possible to make our children's sports holiday enter the annals of the Olympic movement," Maksimov said.

"Today Children of Asia unites thousands of athletes from the Asian continent.

The second edition of the Winter Children of Asia International Sports Games started last week in Kuzbass, with the event set to be concluded on March 5 ©Children of Asia Games
The second edition of the Winter Children of Asia International Sports Games started last week in Kuzbass, with the event set to be concluded on March 5 ©Children of Asia Games

"We remember the stories of all our winners, we cheer for them in big sport at the most prestigious competitions in the world.

"Children of Asia is not only a sport but also an important cultural project.

"Participants and volunteers of the Games discover the diversity of the world around them, learn to appreciate and understand the uniqueness of different cultures and traditions.

"May the Children of Asia Games in Kuzbass become the beginning of victories for athletes and remain in the heart of everyone a real celebration of sports and friendship!"

Russian Olympic Committee President Stanislav Pozdnyakov, Kuzbass Governor Sergey Tsivilev and Minister of Sports Oleg Matytsin were among the dignitaries attending the Opening Ceremony.

Two-time Russian Olympic champion figure skater Evgeni Plushenko, Soviet speed skating Olympic bronze medallist Natalya Shive and three-time Olympic gold-winning wrestler Alexander Karelin brought in the Flame of the Winter Children of Asia International Sports Games.

The fire was lit by Olympic champion cross country skier Elena Vyalbe and Siberian Federal District all-round championship silver medallist Victoria Fedorova, to declare the Games open.