Penza, 18 October 2016. PenzaNews. The all-Russian Winter Spartakiad among persons with lesions of muscoloskeletal system started in “Burtasy” palace of sports in Penza on Tuesday, October 18.

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Boys and girls aged 14-18 from Karelia, Udmurtia, Khanty-Mansi autonomous district, as well as Moscow, Kaluga, Saratov, Chelyabinsk, Tyumen and Penza regions are taking part in it.

The strongest athletes will be identified in swimming, table tennis, chess, checkers, and darts competitions.

Addressing the audience, the Minister of Physical Culture and Sport of the Penza region Grigory Kabelsky said that he would like to see more participants in the competition.

“For many of you this competition will be for the first time. Undoubtedly, the Spartakiad will give a big impetus to the development of Paralympic sports. […] Guys, no matter what place you’ll take, you are all winners,” the head of the regional Ministry of Sport stressed.

After this, he offered to congratulate the triple Paralympic Champion Olga Semenova on her belated birthday; she also came to greet the competition participants.

“I wish all the athletes good luck, unforgettable sports experiences, and victories achieved in fair fight. Let the best man win,” she said.

The Spartakiad will finish on Thursday, October 20.