Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called the XXV Olympic Winter Games and the XIV Winter Paralympic Games in Italy, where the world's best athletes will compete, a particularly important event.

– About 40 of our athletes will participate in the Olympic Games. They will compete in 10 sports. More than half of the national team members are going to the Olympics for the first time. Global competition will be a great opportunity and a great test for you. Our athletes have overcome many obstacles to qualify for the Winter Olympics. They successfully performed in various international competitions, winning 17 gold, 31 silver and 21 bronze medals. At the same time, we have great confidence in our athletes who will defend the honor of the country at the Paralympic Games. The extraordinary enthusiasm and strong will of the Paralympians are an example to many. So far, we have received 10 licenses for the Paralympic Games, which will be held in Italy in early March. The number of licenses may still increase, - said the President.

The Head of State noted that Kazakhstani athletes are diligently preparing for the prestigious competition held every four years, and noted that the truly strong will compete at the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.

– Of course, it is impossible to predict victory in sports. But you passed the strict selection process without fail and became a member of the Kazakhstan Olympic team. This alone shows your potential and desire for victory. Since gaining independence, our athletes have demonstrated their skills at the Winter Olympic Games and have repeatedly appeared on the podium. The names of Olympic medalists such as Vladimir Smirnov, Lyudmila Prokasheva, Elena Khrustaleva, Denis Ten, Yulia Galysheva have been inscribed in golden letters in the history of domestic sports. The anthem has been sung many times in honor of domestic athletes who have excelled in major arenas of world sports, and the flag of our country has flown in the sky. I am sure that bright victories await us in the future. As I recently noted at the National Congress, achievements in sports raise the status of the entire country, strengthen national unity and the authority of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the modern world, - said Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.