Alpine skiing stage of 18th Deaflympics Winter Games started in Bashkortostan

UFA, 30 March 2015. /Bashinform News Agency, Iliya Spiridonov/. On March 29, the ski centre "Metallurg Magnitogorsk" in Abzelilovo region of Bashkortostan hosted the opening of the skiing stage of the 18th Deaflympics Winter Games in 2015. The Head of the Republic Rustem Khamitov directed a welcome address to participants and guests of the competition. At the opening ceremony of the text of the address was read out by the Minister of Youth Policy and Sport RB Andrey Ivanyuta.

Recall that the Deaflympics for hearing impaired is held since 1924 every four years and is the world's largest sports forum, along with the Olympic, Paralympic and Special Olympic Games.

449 athletes from 19 countries (Austria, Hungary, Germany, Spain, Italy, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Republic of Korea, Slovakia, Slovenia, the USA, Turkey, Ukraine, France, Czech Republic, Switzerland Japan, Russia) take part in the 18th Deaflympics Winter Games 2015.

The main competitions of the 18th Winter Deaflympics (cross-country skiing, curling, hockey, snowboarding) will be held from March 28 to April 5, 2015 in Khanty-Mansiysk. Alpine skiing competition ("Downhill", "Giant Slalom", "Super Giant", "Super Combined") will be held at the ski centre "Metallurg Magnitogorsk" in Zelenaya Polyana village of Abzelilovo region of Bashkortostan of Bashkortostan.

Bashkortostan is represented by 11 athletes in two sports - ice hockey and Alpine skiing.