Royal Hall Moscow Hippodrome hosted a solemn ceremony honouring the winners and laureates of the 10th national sports journalism festival contest Energy of Victories.
Despite the coronavirus pandemic, sports journalists have been working tirelessly this year. Primarily, in the print media and on the Internet, as well as on TV and the radio. They informed fans on how their favourite athletes were spending their free time, and afterwards they covered the partially resumed large international and national competitions. In total, the organizers of the contest received 317 works from 63 regions of Russia and 11 countries of the near and far abroad.
The hosts of the festive event were: sports commentator, member of the Russian Television Academy, TEFI award winner and Chairman of the Jury Viktor Gusev, as well as theatre and film actress, stunt performer and singer Olga Kabo.
— The Energy of Victories contest was launched in the run-up to the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, and I was afraid that after the Olympics everything would be over. I didn’t want that to happen because the contest is unique. It’s one of a kind. However, not only numerous people and organizations emerged and kept the contest afloat, buy they also gave it a completely new impetus. For the seventh year now, our event has been held by the Russian Olympic Committee and we express our gratitude to the ROC. Of course, we are grateful to the general sponsor PAO Gazprom, as well as the Federation of Sports Journalists of Russia which has provided great assistance when selecting works and determining the winners, — said Viktor Gusev.
The President of the Russian Olympic Committee Stanislav Pozdnyakov, along with the members of the Jury, took an active part in selecting the laureates for the three special prizes of the contest. He also welcomed all laureates and participants.
— The work of sports journalists is associated not only with a creative approach, but also with a high responsibility towards readers and spectators. Their objectivity and level of professional skills is responsible for the perception of events on the part of fans regarding success in competitions, achievements and most importantly the athletes themselves. That is why the ROC pays particular attention to what is happening in the media. And we always try to celebrate our colleagues – media representatives — for their skill and fair coverage of sports. The Energy of Victories festival contest has always been an opportunity for us to celebrate the best and most worthy in the profession. It is with great pleasure that I would like to once again congratulate all the winners, prize-winners and laureates of the 10th Energy of Victories contest and wish our colleagues new creative achievements.
In turn, the Head of the Information Service, press secretary of the ROC Konstantin Vybornov noted the role of the founders of the Contest in the development of the profession and shared some plans for the future — starting next year, nominations are planned to be named in honour of the majors of national sports journalism, and one of them will definitely bear the name Lev Rossoshik.
Boris Sapozhnikov, a representative of PAO Gazprom, stressed that the pandemic once again proved the importance of sports journalism.
— When people cannot come to the stadium and cheer for their team, they should not only hear the words of TV commentators, but also read about competitions and see photos. In doing so, they can feel the emotional charge of sports competitions. I don’t know how the jury determines the winners because you are all the best. Those who participated and aimed for victory. Let’s continue to develop our sports journalism together and make it even more interesting.
A special prize “For Special Contribution to Sports Journalism in Russia” was awarded to TV commentator Yuri Rozanov who recorded an audio message to the guests of the ceremony.
— Unfortunately, due to health concerns, I cannot attend this wonderful ceremony. Today there will be many who deserve to win, and I want to wish everyone good luck. All of you are worthy representatives of the profession. Journalism in general, and specifically sports journalism, is not easy. Carry on doing your best and may luck always be with you!
The President of the Federation of Sports Journalists of Russia, Vice President of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS), Deputy Editor-in-Chief of “Rossiyskaya Gazeta” Nikolay Dolgopolov received the special prize “Patriarch.”
— I would like to congratulate everyone on the occasion of the Energy of Victories contest which has been one of the most successful and unpredictable. New heroes have appeared, and regional sports journalists have shown that they are not very far behind federal ones. Moreover, perhaps, they are even ahead in certain areas, — he said.
Another special prize of the ROC “Jubilee” was awarded to the executive director of MIA Rossiya Segodnya Vasily Konov.
All winners and prize-winners of the 10th edition of the Energy of Victories contest received medals, diplomas and gifts. And the people who came out to award the nominees gave numerous compliments.
— It is you who develop our sport. I want to wish you good luck and a lot of good news which I think we will have this year and in 2021, — said the famous football coach Yuri Semin.
Aleksey Vlasenko, Head of the Water Polo, Synchronized Swimming and Diving Federations, sincerely praised the media.
— I would like to express my gratitude to all journalists who professionally and promptly cover what is happening in our sport. Reading your materials, I am delighted every time. We have the most professional press in our country.
Irina Privalova, Olympic champion in 400m hurdles, First Vice President of RusAF, emphasized that she had a special connection with the media.
— I am connected with sports journalism more than it might seem at first glance. At the Faculty of Journalism at Moscow State University, I studied this interesting profession that is why I have so much respect for it. Thank you for your interest in track-and-field athletics. I hope it doesn’t run out.
Olympic champion in modern pentathlon Alexander Lesun had warm words for journalists on behalf of all athletes.
— We understand perfectly well how important journalism is. You are not only promoting a healthy lifestyle, but also informing ordinary people about Olympic values. Sport includes not only hockey or football, but also many other interesting sports disciplines.
