Tegla Loroupe: Ashgabat took an important step to solidarity and peace
"Holding such events against the backdrop of ongoing conflicts in the world, confrontations, and economic crisis is an important step in promoting solidarity and peace" - this is how Tegla Loroupe wrote about the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in a letter to the President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.
Loroupe is a five-time world champion in a half-marathon, and now a well-known public figure in the world of sports; it was under her leadership that the team of refugees first took part in the Olympic Games (Rio de Janeiro, 2016) and in the Asian Games (Ashgabat, 2017).
In her message to the President of Turkmenistan, she, on behalf of all the members of the team of refugees, expressed huge human gratitude for his personal initiative and efforts to include the team of refugees in the program of 5th Asian Games "Ashgabat 2017 ".
"By the will of our destinies, we were far from our homeland and became refugees, the number of which has been increasing over the past few years due to various political and economic crises. But thanks to such heads of state as you, who, unfortunately, are very few for today, refugees have a chance and an opportunity to show and feel themselves full-fledged people. In our case, it was undoubtedly fortunate, because thanks to your personal initiative, we could really see the paradisiacal conditions of life of the most beautiful and friendly, flourishing country - Turkmenistan.
You are a vivid representative of the world's most peaceful people - the radiant God-made being that sparkles with warmth, tranquility and pacification! We, the refugees, happened to see this chosen one, and we are extremely happy! Such philanthropy, respect, warmth and hospitality, honors and care that have been given to us here, we hitherto never seen! The Almighty gave you a discerning and a deep mind, a sympathetic heart and a great endless benevolence!
We are well aware that, as a member of the International Olympic Committee and the Olympic Council of Asia, Turkmenistan makes a worthy contribution to the development of the international Olympic movement. Active participation in the activity of OCA is considered as the most important area ofTurkmenistan's international cooperation in the sports sphere. We have personally seen your firm commitment to promote the interests of the Asian states in the world Olympic movement, your conviction that sport, noble traditions of Olympic movement in the modern world are one of the effective instruments of mutual understanding and friendship between nations. And you emphasized this in your speech at the opening ceremony of the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games.
The 5th Asian Games Ashgabat 2017 gave Turkmenistan the opportunity to take its rightful place in the world sports system as a country capable of organizing large-scale international competitions. It is gratifying that the states of Oceania have also joined this project due to the support and hospitality of Turkmenistan. The joint efforts of the countries of Asia and Oceania to hold the 5th Asian Games in this white marble capital will indeed contribute to the further development of world sports. Almost a third of the world's states are represented at the Games in Ashgabat, which is emphasizing their noble peacekeeping mission. Undoubtedly, these Games will be of great importance in strengthening friendship and mutual understanding between peoples, ensuring peace on the Earth," - Tegla Loroupe writes.
5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games “Ashgabat 2017” are of particular nature by the composition of participants and the number of sports disciplines. And therefore it is not surprising that in connection with these Games, the word "for the first time" is often used. Even a small but well-trained sports team of refugees is participating in the Asian Games for the first time.
Loroupe also expressed gratitude to the Turkmen Leader for his proposed draft Declaration on Encouragement of Valuable Contribution of the Refugees Olympic Team to Consolidation of Peace and Human Rights, which was adopted in Geneva at the 36th session of the UN Human Rights Council.
According to the Declaration, the member states of the UN Human Rights Council welcome the participation of refugees and refugee teams in major international sporting events that were first presented at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) in 2016, at the World Athletics Championships on August 4th-13th, 2017 in London, and now in Turkmenistan on the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games.
"The fact that Turkmenistan was the initiator of the adoption of this Declaration of special significance for us, at the United Nations level, once again demonstrated to the world community the growing role of your country in solving global humanitarian issues of our time," the letter says. "Today we quite rightly can state that delegating Turkmenistan the right to hold the 5th Asian Games is the result of the consistent implementation by your country of a peaceful, neutral, constructive and truly good-neighbor foreign policy. It is a great honor for us to participate in these historic Games along with representatives of dozens of states and nations. "
"We regard the 5th Asian Games “Ashgabat 2017” as a big step towards restoring peace and stability on the planet. For this, first of all, it is necessary to see a person in everyone, regardless of his national, religious, racial identity. Mutual respect and cooperation among different nations have a great importance. We, the people, must take important steps to preserve the world civilization. The future of humanity depends on the mutual dialogue of cultures. "
Tegla Lorupe also noted that the decision of the President Berdymuhamedov to invite the refugee team to participate in the Ashgabat Games underscores the need for inclusiveness in all areas of life, stressing that this answers "the fundamental principle of the UN Agenda-2030:" no one should be left behind "in order to expand rights and the possibilities of refugees, as well as trust in us. “
