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KSL joins the broader Utah community in welcoming some 300 young athletes, coaches and supporters from Russia for the winter version of the Moscow Utah Youth Games.
Last summer, you may recall, a similar contingent from Utah traveled to Russia for a week of competition. This reciprocal visit of Russians promises to be equally meaningful and exciting.
The youth games are an outgrowth of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. Former Governor Mike Leavitt and Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov came up with the idea of fostering an ongoing relationship between Utah and Moscow through exchanges in sport, culture, youth programs and arts. The relationship is unique among former Olympic host cities.
Supporters see it possibly evolving into something even larger, perhaps involving other former Olympic communities. That may be more dream than reality.
Regardless, for the next nine days, young athletes from Utah and Russia will compete in eleven sports at some of those heralded venues the world came to know in 2002. If you’ve missed the spirit of the Olympics, you’ve got a chance to recapture a bit of it. Where possible, attend the events. Most of them are free. It’s an opportunity once again to enjoy the pageantry and excitement of international competition.
