In Ufa, beneath the grand arches of the city’s Sports Palace, the closing ceremony of the All-Russian Winter Spartakiade in Deaf Sports took place with great solemnity. The artistic segment of the ceremony paid tribute to the collective image of a sports coach—a dedicated individual who devotes their life to physical culture and sport, inspiring their students with a passion for athletics and instilling in them the determination to persevere. The performance was enhanced by vibrant special effects, and the host’s narration was seamlessly translated into Russian Sign Language by artists on screen.

The event featured a festive program showcasing performances by artists from the Ufa House of Culture of the Deaf, young figure skaters, gymnasts, and hockey players from Bashkiria. A dazzling drone show and other captivating acts added to the spectacle. The ceremony also honoured the memory of Vyacheslav Shevnin, the founder of the Deaflympics movement in the Republic of Bashkortostan and an Honoured Coach of Russia in ice hockey.

Radiy Khabirov, Head of the Republic of Bashkortostan; Odes Baisultanov, First Deputy Minister of Sport of the Russian Federation; and Dmitry Rebrov, President of the All-Russian Sports Federation of Sports of the Deaf, addressed the guests and participants with warm words of welcome.

“Two weeks of intense competition, friendship, and mutual respect have come to an end. Thank you for the emotions you’ve shared with us! We’ve strived to ensure your comfort during the competitions, providing the best sports facilities our republic has to offer,” said Radiy Khabirov. “Remember, Bashkortostan is a welcoming region and will always be happy to host you.”

During his speech, Radiy Khabirov presented state awards of the Republic of Bashkortostan to Odes Baisultanov, First Deputy Minister of Sport of the Russian Federation; Olga Shevnina, Chairperson of the Bashkortostan Regional Branch of the All-Russian Society of the Deaf; and expressed gratitude to outstanding athletes and coaches of deaf sports in the Republic, including Vladimir Antonov, Irina Marfina, Alexander Mayorov, Timofey Podporin, and Linat Shayakhmetov.

“The competitions passed in the blink of an eye. Everyone enjoyed this celebration of friendship and sport,” remarked Odes Baisultanov. “My heartfelt congratulations to the winners and medallists. Wishing you all continued success.”

“The Spartakiade brought together athletes from Kaliningrad to Vladivostok, from Crimea to Kamchatka, becoming a vibrant and joyous event that celebrated the strength and spirit of our athletes - our ‘Super Olympians.’ They demonstrate the boundless potential of the human body and champion equality through sport,” emphasized Dmitry Rebrov, President of the All-Russian Sports Federation of Sports of the Deaf.

The ceremony concluded on a high note, with golden confetti ribbons cascading through the air, marking the end of the inspiring story titled All-Russian Winter Spartakiade in Deaf Sports: We Are Together. Sport.

A heartfelt thank you to all participants, coaches, organizers, volunteers, and guests for making this event unforgettable!

Text: Andrei Popov, Nurlan Tazhigulov

Photo: Sofia Rumiantseva, Press Service of the Ministry of Sport of the Republic of Bashkortostan

Translation: Daria Kudelina