Today, the Ufa Wrestling Palace hosted the opening ceremony of the first All-Russian Winter Spartakiade of Deaf Sports, titled “We Are Together. Sport”. Over 800 of the nation’s strongest athletes gathered in the capital of Bashkortostan to showcase their strength, determination, and unwavering pursuit of victory.

The ceremony was attended by distinguished guests, including Ruslan Habibov, Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of the Republic of Bashkortostan and Minister of Sports; Dmitry Rebrov, President of the All-Russian Sports Federation of Sports of the Deaf; Aibulat Khazhin, Chairman of the Committee of the State Assembly of the Republic of Bashkortostan; and Rima Batalova, a 13-time Paralympic champion. Radiy Khabirov, Head of the Republic of Bashkortostan, welcomed the participants via a video message in sign language, saying, “Welcome to Bashkortostan! I wish everyone good luck!”

Russian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev also sent his greetings to the participants and guests. In his address, he stated:

“Dear friends, I warmly welcome the participants, organizers, and guests of the All-Russian Winter Spartakiade! As President Vladimir Putin has noted, people with disabilities exemplify extraordinary fortitude, resilience, and optimism, inspiring us all to overcome challenges and achieve our dreams. Bashkortostan, known for its hospitality and exceptional event organization, has successfully hosted the 2023 Summer Deaflympics and the 2024 International Forum ‘Russia – A Sporting Power.’ I am confident that this Spartakiade will be a memorable event, filled with positive emotions and a spirit of camaraderie. Our shared goal is to create equal opportunities for physical training and sports for all. I wish every participant success, as well as faith, hope, and love. After all, it is our love for Russia and sport that unites us!”

The ceremony commenced with a vibrant choreographic performance, symbolizing the journey from a small spark of talent, fuelled by determination, hard work, and confidence, to a powerful wave of sporting achievements and boundless opportunities.

Leading creative groups from Bashkortostan and the Moscow Theatre of Mimics and Gesture delivered captivating performances, weaving together a narrative of each participant’s path to victory.

Ruslan Habibov, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Sports of Bashkortostan, highlighted the significance of Ufa hosting the event:

“The choice of Ufa as the host city for the All-Russian Winter Spartakiade ‘We Are Together. Sport’ is a testament to our republic’s sporting achievements and its significant contribution to the development of Deaflympic sports in Russia. This event will undoubtedly provide a strong impetus for the growth of adaptive sports and the Deaflympic movement, further strengthening Russia’s sporting potential.”

The official part of the ceremony began with a parade of flags representing the 32 participating regions, spanning from Kaliningrad to Kamchatka, followed by the signing of the national anthem in sign language.

Dmitry Rebrov, President of the All-Russian Sports Federation of Deaf Sports, emphasized the importance of the event:

“Today marks the beginning of the first Winter Spartakiade for the nation’s finest deaf athletes. For the next eleven days, Bashkortostan will serve as the national hub for physical culture and sports for individuals with hearing impairments, uniting the deaf community and advancing the Russian Deaflympic movement. I am confident that the Spartakiade ‘We Are Together. Sport’ will be a significant milestone on the path to achieving Deaflympic dreams and a solid foundation for future success.”

Competitions in five sports—futsal, alpine skiing, chess, hockey, and curling—have already begun. Most events are being held at Ufa’s sports facilities, while curling will take place in Ishimbay at the Batyr Sports School, and alpine skiing will be held at the Metallurg-Magnitogorsk Ski Centre.

An extensive cultural program has been prepared for participants and guests. A fan zone at Ufa’s Gostiny Dvor offers video guides in sign language for self-guided tours of the city, as well as free tickets to cultural and entertainment events, including theatre performances, cinema screenings, and bus tours. A detailed schedule of events is available on the official Spartakiade resources:

- Telegram: https://t.me/myvmestesport_ufa

- VKontakte: https://vk.com/ufa_spartakiada2025

The All-Russian Winter Spartakiade of Deaf Sports “We Are Together. Sport” will continue until February 16. The closing ceremony will take place on February 14 at the Ufa Sports Palace.

PHOTO ALBUM