Good evening!
First of all, I would like to congratulate all of you – athletes, coaches, supporters, organisers of sports events, and also the fans – on a very interesting and eventful year.
We had the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games, victories, and medals. There were also some losses and moments of disappointment along the way, but what I want to say is that the entire Latvian nation rooted for you and supported you all. And you know very well that our fans and our society are among the most passionate and supportive.
You are already thinking about this year – about the many competitions and victories ahead.
I am confident that we will all continue to support you and follow your journey. However, there is one thing I wish to say to the entire athletic and para-athletic community: reach out to the youth, inspire them! You know very well that your words and the example you show carry great weight. We must strive to be a smart, healthy, and sporty nation.
Your achievements would not be possible without training nor without those who have helped, supported, and inspired you from a very early age. Therefore, today it is truly a great honour and an emotional moment for me to present the “Lifetime Achievement in Sport” award to Zigfrīds Markainis.
I believe that life can, in a way, be compared to shooting sport. Life is about setting goals and achieving them. In shooting, it is about aiming and firing. Sometimes you hit the target, and sometimes you might miss. Without a good coach, it is impossible.
I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to Mr Markainis for nearly 60 years in sports, including 54 years as a coach. He inspired young people by teaching them not only the fundamentals of shooting but also the fundamentals of life itself. There are those who have achieved great success under his tutelage, and there are many for whom the training has prepared them for their future lives.
Therefore, I most certainly wish for the coach not to retire. I watched the video, and I think we all noticed it – he still has in him to work with his athletes for many years.
I am delighted that 2024 is a special year for him as well, as he achieved one of his great goals – participating in the Paris Olympic Games.
Thank you! I now invite you to receive the “Lifetime Achievement in Sport” award!
