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News Release
July 20, 2003
Contact: Kort Utley, (801) 538-1053

Competition Begins
Leavitt throws first pitch at the baseball game

MOSCOW, Russia – After an abbreviated, but poignant visit to Moscow’s World War II Museum, Governor Mike Leavitt watched Team Utah compete in baseball, swimming, basketball and volleyball in the first day of competition at the Moscow-Utah Summer Games. Leavitt participated in opening day by throwing the first pitch at the baseball stadium located at Moscow State University.

“After traveling 10,000 miles and through ten time zones it’s great to see the games begin,” said Leavitt. “The facilities are fabulous and our young athletes are anxious to give their personal best.”

The competition began at the Olympisky sports’ complex where volleyball, basketball and swimming events were held. A small Utah delegation – comprised of parents, Utahns who live in Moscow, and guests of Neways, the official Utah sponsor – were present and cheered for the Utah team. They were not disappointed as several Utah swimmers set new state records and the men’s basketball team made a dramatic come-from-behind effort, only to lose in double overtime. All in all, it was a thrilling opening day of competition.

In addition to watching several of the sporting events, Leavitt met and mingled with Team Utah and Team Moscow athletes and many young Russian spectators. At the end of the day event organizers met for dinner and shared several toasts in keeping with the local culture.

“We raise are glasses to our youth,” said Deputy Mayor Mikhail Men who is in charge of sport development for the City of Moscow. “May the people of Moscow and Utah lead and cooperate in the trend of mutual understanding and cooperation.”

The Head Judge for the competition, Dimitri Svatkovskiy, who is a three-time Olympic champion in the pentathalon, spoke of how sport brings people closer to one another. “It is very pleasing to me that the children of each of our countries will be able to speak directly, rather than hear about each other through the radio, T.V. or newspaper,” said Svatkovskiy. Svatkovskiy competed in the Barcelona, Atlanta and Sydney Summer Olympic Games, ultimately winning the gold medal in Sydney.

Competition continues tomorrow with the first wrestling, gymnastics, water polo and soccer events. Leavitt, in addition to watching the sporting events, will meet with the U.S. ambassador in Russia tomorrow, in part, to seek support for the Moscow-Utah Winter Games in February 2004.