Each Russian region is able to raise world-class athletes - Russian Olympics president

All Russian regions can raise athletes who will reach international success, Russian Olympic Committee President Alexander Zhukov said at a news conference at the annual International sport forum Russia Is A Sport Power.

All Russian regions can raise athletes who will reach international success, Russian Olympic Committee President Alexander Zhukov said at a news conference at the annual International sport forum Russia Is A Sport Power.

"All those gathered here feel how much attention leaders of the country and federal government give to the development of sports. We can hope that the regions will also catch on. Each Russian region, considering our outstanding athletic traditions, is able to train high class athletes," Zhukov said.

He named the Russian republic of Mordovia, which is the worldwide leader in race walking, as one of Russia's regions that prepared champions Olga Kaniskina and Valeria Borchina for the Beijing Olympics.

"In each region there is a possibility to raise world-class athletes, Olympic champions, by focusing (on any sport). I am sure that we can achieve this," Zhukov, who is also the head of the annual sports forum organizing committee, said.

The international forum Russia Is A Sport Power will be held in Moscow from July 29 to August 2. The purpose of the forum is the development of the Olympic ideals, the support of international cooperation in sports, the promotion of healthy life-styles and anti-doping measures. Celebrations of the 30th anniversary of the 1980 Moscow Summer Olympics will be among the highlights of the forum. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, Russian sports stars and culture figures are expected to attend the celebrations.

MOSCOW, July 29 (RIA Novosti)