News of Bratsk

Pupils of the Irkutsk orphanage-boarding school No. 1 took second place at the All-Russian Bocce Games of the Special Olympics

The team of the Irkutsk region successfully performed at the bocce competitions in the framework of the All-Russian Spartakiad of the Special Olympics. The Spartakiad was held from 17 to 23 April in St. Petersburg. Representatives from 16 regions of the country competed for medals in this sport.

Our region was represented by pupils of the Irkutsk orphanage-boarding school No. 1 under the guidance of coach Galina Kurnosova. Among girls in individual competitions, Ekaterina Kuritsina and Galina Molchanova won gold medals. Among young men, Alexander Afanasiev and Alexander Molchanov became bronze medalists. Ekaterina Kuritsina and Galina Molchanova took second place in the doubles competition, while Alexander Afanasiev and Alexander Molchanov won in this discipline.

According to the results of the competition, the team of the Irkutsk region took the second team place. The team of the Novosibirsk region was in the lead, the third place was taken by the athletes of the Murmansk region.

– The guys showed a very good result at the All-Russian Spartakiad of the Special Olympics. The competition was high, and I am glad that the Irkutsk athletes managed to show a beautiful game and win medals in various disciplines, – said coach Galina Kurnosova.

Bocce is one of the sports designed specifically for people with disabilities, including those with mental disabilities. Pupils of the Irkutsk orphanage boarding school got acquainted with this game only a year ago, but they have already successfully succeeded in it. The past regional competitions in Angarsk showed an excellent level of preparation of the team, and as a result of the drawing of lots, the pupils went to St. Petersburg.

– It is very important for us that our students, along with athletes from other regions of Russia, adequately represented the Irkutsk region. For children, playing sports is not only a means of self-expression, improving their health, but also a very important part of rehabilitation, the importance of which cannot be overestimated, – said Natalia Lebedeva, director of the orphanage No. 1 in Irkutsk.