Over 400 youngsters competed at the youth event ©BOC

More than 400 budding young athletes from 22 clubs participated in a Winter Festival organised by the Bulgarian Olympic Committee (BOC).

The event, held in the south-western resort of Ossogova, was organised under the slogan "Discovering the Olympic hopes of Bulgaria" by the BOC in conjunction with the Sports Ministry.

It sought to "contribute to the promotion of fundamental ideals, principles and values of Olympism and their spread among the younger generation".

Providing an opportunity to identify young talent was another aim.

This could provide vital experience on the road to competing at the Youth Olympics and Winter Olympic Games, it is hoped.

The event sought to give youngsters experience of competition ©BOC
The event sought to give youngsters experience of competition ©BOC

Competitors were welcomed by Petar Paunov, the Mayor of Kyustendil, the main town within the resort.

"Welcome to this beautiful part of Bulgaria," he said, before presenting medals.

Bulgaria has won six medals in the history of the Winter Olympics since first competing at Garmisch Partenkirchen in 1936.

This included an individual biathlon gold medal for Ekaterina Dafovska at the Nagano 1998 Games.