Next generation of UIPM stars light up second UTS World Virtual Youth Festival 

The next generation of UIPM stars have again successfully taken part in the world’s  only virtual youth festival, the UTS World Virtual Youth Festival 2021, which lit up the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from November 20-27. 

Our youth athletes took part in the Max Fit competitions and Youth Ambassadors scheme at the biggest virtual event for youth in 2021. The second string of the event was again organized with the patronage of some of the biggest sporting organizations in the world including the IOC, IPC, SOI, SportAccord, GAISF and AIMS. 

UIPM was among over 100 organizations who joined forces with one mission: to promote inclusion, non-discrimination, equality, and the youth of the world standing together towards a better future.

The seven-day event was opened by IOC President Dr. Thomas Bach with competitions across five categories, four workshops and six conferences all taking place on the virtual platform where the leaders of sport and athletes of the world shared knowledge and discussed sport-related issues. 

Modern Pentathlon athletes got medals of all value in their Max Fit categories – a repeat gold for Guatemala from last year’s winner of this same festival, Ashley Moscoso (U11), silver for Maria Olshanskaya (RUS; U13) and bronze going to South Africa  and Tonya Shoeman (U14). 

Young athletes were at the centre of all activities. One of the panellists of the UTS World Youth Ambassador workshop called “Cultivate Community” was 11-years-old Kyra Seow, a youth pentathlete from Singapore. Last year Kyra was acknowledged by UTS with a special medal as one of the most outstanding Youth Ambassadors and this year she was sharing her experience of competing and giving back to the community.

Tatiana Thomatos (RSA;11) and Akim Gnedchik (BLR; 13) followed Kyra’s lead and joined 114 Youth Ambassadors who were promoting and attending the festival ’s educational activities. All participants will receive a certificate signed by the IOC, IPC, SOI, GAISF, AIMS and SportAccord. All participants were introduced in a Youtube video playlist for the festival with Tatiana (number 72) and Akim (number 102) included.  

Last but not least, UIPM Technical Delegate Dmitry Menshikov of Russia and UIPM Project Manager Anfisa Kasyanova (BLR) were judging in the Festival Finals on November 20-24.

UIPM Executive Board Member for Development, Viacheslav Malishev (GEO), said: “In 2021 we still haven’t yet got over the pandemic. The UTS 2nd Virtual Youth Festival is a wonderful initiative which allows so many youth athletes to taking part in multi-sports event, despite travel restrictions and borders. I congratulate all of the athletes, ambassadors and judges who represented UIPM in this unique event and congratulations to UTS on further paving the path towards better future.”

UIPM President, Dr. Klaus Schormann (GER) thanked the youth of the UIPM and of the world and their parents for coming together in solidarity and support, with the festival highlighting the talents, skills and inspiration of kids: “This festival for many young people is a first but very special moment to receive not only medals and recognition but also valuable life experience including experience in using new technologies and social media. Pentathlon youth once again proved that it is in the centre of the worldwide sports agenda. We in UIPM are very proud of our youth.”

UTS President Stephan Fox closed the Festival with a stirring speech stating “this event represents Olympism at the highest level and the youth of the world stand together in solidarity. To see yet again the IFs and their NFs working together was fantastic. We all witnessed how sport unites us all and how much we can achieve, standing in solidarity.”

The youth of the world including pentathletes will receive their medals and certificates soon. Meanwhile the Republic of Uzbekistan has been announced as host of the third edition of the festival in 2022. 

Watch a 2021 UTS World Virtual Youth Festival replay here.