Ukraine's Olympians honored at send-off ceremony in Kyiv (02/12/06)

Ukraine's Olympians honored at send-off ceremony in Kyiv

KYIV - The Ukrainian Olympic team was honored at a send-off ceremony at Independence Square on February 3, Ukrinform reported. The team, which consists of 53 athletes who will compete in 10 types of sports, will represent Ukraine at the XX Winter Olympic Games to be held in Turin, Italy, on February 10-26.

Ivan Vasiunyk, first deputy head of the Presidential Administration, read a message from President Viktor Yushchenko to members of the team. Mr. Yushchenko expressed the hope that the athletes will be worthy representatives of Ukraine at Turin.

Sports, Youth and Family Minister Yurii Pavlenko, Ukrainian National Olympic Committee President Serhii Bubka, Kyiv Mayor Oleksander Omelchenko and UMC mobile communications company head Adam Wojacki also participated in the sendoff ceremony. UMC is the general sponsor of the National Olympic Committee and the Ukrainian Olympic team.

President Yushchenko met with the team separately on February 3 to wish the athletes victory and to sign the flag of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Ukraine, Ukrinform reported. Mr. Yushchenko announced that he had signed a decree on the creation of a National Council on Physical Education and Sports a few hours earlier, and that he would head the council.

The Ukrainian president said the council would convene its first meeting after the Olympic Games to discuss all urgent issues. NOC President Bubka noted that those include the need for an extensive network of specialized sports bases and the completion of the Olympic House.

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