OKD supports the 10th year of the Children and Youth Olympics 2012

Horečky Ski Jump Area in Frenštát pod Radhoštěm with four completely modernized ski jumps will host Olympic Games in the last weekend in January! Ski jumping belongs to the program of the 10th year of Children and Youth Olympics 2012, whose partner is also OKD. Besides this Beskydy town, this event will also take place in Bílá, Pustevny and three other locations in Ostrava.

"The event of such as scale for our region is very beneficial. Attract attention to it, increase its prestige and revive tourism, because people, who would otherwise not come here, will visit this region. And since OKD as one of the largest from Moravian-Silesian companies and employers feel responsible for this region, we will be glad to be there. In addition, in the long-term we support activities focusing on health, lifestyle and sport. In the case of young people it is valid even more," says Mark Síbrt, PR consultant for OKD. Also thanks to its support is a free entrance for the Olympics!

All will start in Sunday, 29th January at 3 PM in ČEZ Aréna in Ostrava. "After the official start, including lighting the Olympic flame and singing the anthem by Permoník band, will be electronic violin show performed by Jiří Erlebach. Charile Straight Band will be also on the stage. Panoramic video, including three-dimensional animation will be the crucial part of the ceremony," Tomáš Tikal disclosed for organizers.

There will be fourteen hundred sportsmen from all Czech regions under the age of sixteen. Hockey players, figure skaters and fast skaters will compare their talents in Multifunctional Hall near ČEZ Aréna in Ostrava Sareza Poruba. In Bílá Ski Area alpine skiing and snowboarding will take place, in Pustevny it will be cross-country skiing. "The program also includes special disciplines such as chess and disco dancing, which will take place in Akord Cultural House in Zábřeh," Tikal said.

Frenštát pod Radhoštěm will be beside the race in ski jumping also the site for one of the medal ceremonies. That will be in Tuesday 31st January from six thirty in the evening on the local square. There will be also Patrick Gluchowski and Michal Šeps, finalists from Czech & Slovak television talent and singer contests. "For the first time in history the Children and Youth Olympics will be live on the Internet," Tikal said.

Children and Youth Olympics is a project of the Czech Olympic Committee. They organize various summer or winter games in selected counties every year. "Young people learn not only about the Olympics and its values, but also ordinary Olympic Day - meet each other at the dormitories, dining rooms, during the races and on ceremonies. We show them the path to the top begins at an early age," Milan Jirásek, chairman of Olympic committee said.

He should be present to the sporting competition supported by OKD. Jiří Raška, the legendary ski jumper will ignite the Olympic flame and David Moravec, the hockey player will lead an expedition of our region in the opening ceremony. One of the medal ceremonies will be held in Bonver Arena in Thursday, 2nd February at half past six in the evening. Galanight, in Friday 3rd February which starts at twelve o'clock at ČEZ Aréna, will end the games. More information on www.odm2012.cz.

Radek Lukša