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The concept of the “Three Star Award” envisages a more democratic and open process of evaluating the achievements of Latvian athletes, the organizers of the award announced at a press conference on Monday.
It has been decided to replace the “Latvian Award of the Year in Sport” with the “Three Star Award”, which will be organized by the Latvian Olympic Committee (LOC), the Latvian Paralympic Committee (LPK) and the Latvian Sports Federation Council (LSFP) with the support of the Ministry of Education and Science.
As the event’s producer Ilze Jansone revealed, the solemn ceremony at the Hanseatic Platform will take place on December 29.
“It is planned that about 400-450 guests will participate in person, but it will take place in accordance with the restrictions set by the country at that time,” Jansone said.
Meanwhile, LOK President George Tikmer emphasized that the new concept confirms changes in the sports industry.
“The concept is becoming more democratic and more open to society, also demonstrating unity. The design will be associated with the LOK logo and include three values - excellence, friendship and respect. We are currently working on creating a design, but the award itself will be presented on December 4, ”said Tikmer.
Sandis Riekstins (JKP), Chairman of the Sports Subcommittee of the Saeima Education, Culture and Science Commission, also noted that the new concept envisages a democratic and more open process.
“Municipalities and other organizations are also more involved. Nominees are nominated by sports journalists and industry professionals, but the public also participates in the voting, ”Riekstins noted.
In her turn, the President of the LCP Daiga Dadzīte explained that the new concept is very important, because it shows that closer cooperation between the Olympic Committee and the Paralympic Committee has been started.
“This time the Paralympic Athlete will no longer have a separate special prize, moreover, Paralympic Athletes, teams and others will be able to apply for other nominations as well. It is also gratifying that for the first time there will be an annual sports municipality and an annual sports federation, because undeclared workers are often forgotten. With the new concept, the society is much more involved, ”Dadzīte emphasized.
Since 2005, the Latvian Sports of the Year Award has been organized by the Igo Japiņa Sports Agency.
Tennis player Anastasia Sevastova and skeletonist Martins Dukurs were recognized as the best athletes of last year in the “Latvian Sports of the Year Award 2019”.
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