site.btaPresident Radev Confers with International Olympic Committee President Bach

September 15 (BTA) - International Olympic Committee
(IOC) President Thomas Bach, who is paying a three-day visit to
Bulgaria, Saturday conferred with President Rumen Radev, Radev's
 press secretariat said. Bach said that Bulgaria is a highly
respected partner in the Olympic movement and praised the
country's excellent organization of three world championships in
 three different sports in September: rhythmic gymnastics,
rowing and volleyball.

The IOC President said that Bulgaria has a potential to host
Winter Youth Olympic Games and that it can rely on IOC's support
 in this respect.

Radev noted the importance of fostering a sports culture in the
young generation. The head of State said that sports is a
successful tool for social integration.

Earlier on Saturday Bach visited the venue of the 2018 World
Rowing Championships taking place in Plovdiv, Southern Bulgaria.
 Bach praised the organization of the event.

The guest, accompanied by Youth and Sports Minister Krassen
Kralev, Bulgarian Olympic Committee President Stefka
Kostadinova, International Rowing Federation President
Jean-Christophe Rolland, Plovdiv Mayor Ivan Totev and other
officials, broke the ground for a second rowing canal.

The canal, which will be 2.1 km long, 45 m wide, and 1.5 m deep,
 will serve as an auxiliary facility to the existing canal. 

Bach conferred a special gold medal for merit to the Olympic
movement to Kralev.

Also present were the presidents of the Czech and Canadian
Olympic Committees Jiri Kejval and Tricia Smith, and Russian
Sports Minister Pavel Kolobkov. RY/ZH