On 17 January, President Edgars Rinkēvičs remotely congratulated cyclist, coach, sports manager, entrepreneur and former President of the Latvian Cycling Federation Igo Japiņš, who received the "Three Star Award 2023" in the nomination category "Lifetime Achievement to Sport".
Ladies and gentlemen!
Dear athletes!
Sports fans and friends of sport!
With his dedicated visible and invisible work, Igo Japiņš has returned Latvia on the global stage in the world of cycling. He has coached our greatest cyclists. And he has traversed Latvia's roads and trails as part of the Unity Ride, which I had the honour of participating in myself in 2023.
Tonight, it is my great honour to congratulate Igo Japiņš on his Lifetime Achievement in Sport Award. This is a salute not only to Mr Japiņš himself, but also to the thousands of people who have been inspired by him to hop on the saddle and pedal along their entire lives.
There is a popular saying that one does not have to reinvent the wheel. Igo Japiņš did not reinvent the wheel, but rather enabled us to see the bicycle from a different perspective. For some, he helped to see the bicycle as a vehicle in pursuit of race medals. But for thousands of people across Latvia, he helped to see how a bicycle can bring such true joy, satisfaction, and new friends, not to mention health. For myself as well. Thank you, and let's continue to ride!
Together, let’s honour the hero of the day and the grandmaster of cycling, Igo Japiņš!