400 Kyrgyz children take part in the official Guangzhou Asian Games Fun Run 06-09-2007

Yssyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan, 6th September 2007: 400 children from Yssyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan sprinted to the finish line at the Cholpon-Ata Main Park Road as part of the 3rd official Guangzhou Asian Games Fun Run.

Organized by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and the NOC of Kyrgyzstan, children aged 8 to 14 were invited to participate in the event. Each entrant received a limited edition Guangzhou Asian Games Fun Run T-shirt and cap, as well as a certificate upon completion of the run.

The 1.5km run in Yssyk-Kul was part of a series of official Asian Games Fun Runs which are taking place throughout countries across Asia and the Middle East over the next four years to promote the 16th Asian Games Guangzhou 2010.

Starting at 10 AM with opening speeches from Mr Kydyk Isaev, Governor of Yssyk-Kul region, Mr Liu Jiangnan, deputy secretary general – GAGOC and Mr Haider Farman, Manager of Asian Games department, the fun run saw children aged 8 – 10 run for 1.5 KM the first race; while runners in the second race were aged 11- 14 and the third race was mainly for girls from all ages.

“Asian Games Fun Run is one of the very important initiatives which can carry forward the Olympic spirit and promote Asian Games among the youth. By participating in the Fun Run, the youth from Asia can experience the charm of the Olympics, build up their bodies and be motivated with the spirits of bravely facing challenges, being united and positive”. Mr Liu said.