2026 Presidential Olympiad opens

On October 27, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev attended the opening ceremony of the Presidential Olympiad at the Olympic Town.

Regional teams lined up at the stadium alongside the winners of the 2026 Asian Games and Asian Para Games.

In his address, the Head of State congratulated the participants on the opening of the second Presidential Olympiad.

This year, more than 3,500 young athletes, accompanied by 1,500 coaches, will compete in 26 Olympic and Paralympic sports.

The President emphasized that the country has established a comprehensive system spanning grassroots and professional sports, from identifying talented athletes to preparing them for international competitions. Over the past ten years, Uzbek athletes have won 5,518 medals at major international competitions, including 1,675 gold medals, three times as many as in the previous decade. Female athletes accounted for one-third of all medals won.

The Head of State noted that Uzbek athletes won the recently held World Chess Olympiad in Samarkand for the second time. At the 20th Asian Games in Japan, Uzbekistan's national team won 21 gold, 25 silver, and 24 bronze medals, finishing fifth in the overall team standings.

The achievements of Uzbek para-athletes were also highly praised. At the Asian Para Games, they won a total of 145 medals, including 45 gold, 49 silver, and 51 bronze, finishing third in the overall team standings.

The Head of State thanked the athletes, their mentors and coaches, as well as the parents who support their children's dreams and aspirations.

The President noted that Uzbekistan is increasingly becoming a hub for major international sporting events. Over the past four years, the country has hosted around 20 world- and Asian-level competitions. In September and October next year, Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan will jointly host the FIFA U-20 World Cup for the first time.

Addressing the young athletes, the President emphasized that high results can be achieved through strong will, discipline, and hard work.

"Believe in yourself! Work on yourself! Be worthy of your Motherland! Let these words become a life motto for each of you," the Head of State said.

New opportunities and incentives for participants in the Presidential Olympiad were also announced. Starting next year, cash prizes for winners and medalists will increase 2.5-fold: 25 million soums for first place, 12 million soums for second place, and 6 million soums for third place.

School graduates who win the competition and set a national record will be admitted to sports programs at higher education institutions without entrance examinations and on a state grant. In the future, the number of sports will increase to 35, and students aged 14 to 17 will take part in the competitions.

Each year, 50 winners of the Presidential Olympiad will be sent abroad to participate in international training camps. Starting next year, winners will also receive a one-year scholarship. Sports schools that achieve the best results in their respective disciplines will be provided with the necessary sports gear and equipment.

The Head of State also announced that the Museum of Olympic Glory in Tashkent will be relocated to the Olympic Town. This will allow young athletes to learn more about the history and achievements of Uzbekistan's champions.

The President called on young people to make full use of the opportunities available to them, compete fairly, and value their parents and mentors.

“Be worthy competitors in the sports arena and remain friends beyond it,” the Head of State said.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev then declared the 2026 Presidential Olympiad open. The National Anthem of the Republic of Uzbekistan was played.

The ceremony continued with a concert program. At the conclusion of the event, the Presidential Olympiad flame was lit.