Registration for the Latvian Schools Winter Olympic Festival officially announced

On Monday, 16 January, in Ērgļi, an informal media event will take place at which the warm-up programme for the Latvian Schools Winter Olympic Festival (LSZOF), running from 16 to 31 January, will be officially launched. During this period, several open warm-up training sessions are planned throughout Latvia, alongside active school registration for the festival and the submission of entries for video, photography and DJ competitions. The warm-up programme will culminate in a grand festival in Ērgļi on 3 and 4 February.

The media event was attended by the organisers of the Latvian Schools Winter Olympic Festival (LSZOF) – representatives of the Council of Latvian Sports Federations (LSFP), the Latvian Olympic Committee (LOK) and the Ērgļi Municipality Council, as well as the festival ambassador, Ketija Birzule. In an informal atmosphere, the media were introduced to the festival programme for 2017, which has been made more appealing and engaging for young athletes. More information was provided about innovations in the programme, such as winter orienteering competitions and curling demonstrations.

The event’s guests were delighted by a figure-skating demonstration from Anete Lāce, a young and talented Latvian figure skater who has already proved herself at both Latvian and international championships. In a warm-up ice hockey match, the LSZOF organisers’ team competed against the Ērgļi hockey team. In a tense battle, the Ērgļi team defeated the festival organisers 4–2.

Einars Fogelis, President of the LSFP, invited schools to register by signing up on the LSFP website: "On this beautiful winter day, I invite schools to start actively registering to take part in the Latvian Schools Winter Olympic Festival, while on 3 and 4 February all participants are warmly invited to enjoy the winter, hospitality and competitive atmosphere of Ērgļi!"

Winter festival ambassador Ketija Birzule encouraged schoolchildren to take part in the festival: "An important reason for every Latvian pupil from Year 4 to Year 12 to participate in the Latvian Schools Winter Olympic Festival is the opportunity for everyone to enjoy the Latvian winter together and take part in winter sports. A few years ago, I myself competed in the festival for the first time, which gave me unforgettable emotions and new experience. I also met young people here who shared my outlook. This year I will be the festival ambassador, offering emotional support and cheering on the young athletes. I wish all participants to train diligently for the festival, achieve excellent results and take pleasure in what they accomplish!"

History of the Latvian Schools Winter Olympic Festival:

In 1992, Latvia held its first Latvian Youth Olympic Days in summer sports, followed two years later by events in winter sports. For the first time, school-age athletes had the opportunity to participate in competitions featuring an opening and closing ceremony, the lighting of the Olympic torch and the raising of the Olympic flag.

In 2013 and 2016, Latvia’s maximum February air-temperature records were broken, and as a result the Latvian Schools Winter Olympic Festival was cancelled due to unsuitable weather conditions. The regulations of the Latvian Schools Winter Olympic Festival are available on LSFP.lv.