At a ceremony honoring the winners and medalists of the Asian Games and Asian Para Games, President of Kazakhstan Qasym-Jomart Toqaev called on athletes and the relevant ministry to begin preparations for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, infohub.kz reports.
The head of state emphasized that every victory is the result of years of preparation and dedicated work. "For our country, every medal has special value and significance. I want to express my gratitude to all the athletes present here. The title of champion places great responsibility on an athlete. The path of everyone who has risen to the highest step of the podium serves as an example for young people who have chosen professional sports. The younger generation looks up to you. Sport is a powerful force capable of influencing public consciousness and shaping both the intellectual and physical qualities of a person. This is an immutable truth. Sport educates the younger generation in the spirit of discipline, integrity, honesty and responsibility. If our youth are active and purposeful, and the people are strong in spirit, then the state will also become stronger," the President noted.
Qasym-Jomart Toqaev pointed to the special role of well-known and recognized public figures, including athletes, in promoting and establishing new ethical principles. Along with this, he set a number of tasks for the upcoming period.
"Today, Kazakh sports enjoy high authority and significant potential. Therefore, we must strive for even higher results. Ahead of us is the main sporting event of the four-year cycle – the Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Preparations for these global competitions must already be carried out at the highest level. Not only athletes but also the relevant ministry and sports federations must actively engage in it," the head of state emphasized.