As is known, athletes from Uzbekistan achieved significant success at the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris, placing 13th in the overall medal standings in both competitions. At a meeting held on February 13 this year, the task was set to develop the Olympic movement in the country and to prepare thoroughly for upcoming competitions. In this regard, a draft resolution has been designed for preparations for the 34th Summer Olympic Games and the 18th Paralympic Games, which will be held in 2028 in Los Angeles, United States.

The draft resolution outlines 10 priority tasks. These include intensified development of sports using a differentiated approach toward established, promising, and emerging disciplines, expanding the range of sports in which Uzbekistan achieves results, transparent selection of talented youth from the grassroots level, creation of a national training methodology based on international experience, organizing targeted and results-oriented training camps for national teams, strengthening their material and technical base, expanding cooperation with international sports organizations, and other key measures.

A program and targeted indicators are also being developed to guide the preparation of athletes for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

To ensure a systematic approach, 14 regional branches have been established within the National Olympic Committee. The Chairperson of the Jokargy Kenes of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, along with the hokims of the regions and the city of Tashkent, will serve as Special Representatives of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan for the development of the Olympic movement. Each region will be assigned responsible officials from the Ministry of Sports and the Olympic Committee.

The main objective is not merely to prepare for a single Olympic event, but to build a sustainable and long-term system. A three-stage competition titled “Olympic Heights of New Uzbekistan” will be launched to identify and professionally train talented athletes from the grassroots level. The final stage of the competition will be held annually in an Olympic Village called the “Presidential Olympics”. Winners and prizewinners will be admitted to Olympic training centers.

The activities of the Republican Olympic and Paralympic Center will focus on building a reserve of athletes for the national teams. Starting in 2026, the center will be financed through the state budget. It will operate as a school for students in grades 8-11 and a college for first- and second-year students, with an expanded admission quota. First- and second-year students will receive scholarships from the Ministry of Sports. The sports facilities of the Olympic Village will be provided to the center free of charge for training purposes.

To expand the pool of athletes, the operations of private sports clubs will be improved, and they will be granted the right to participate in official competitions. Athletes who achieve high results will have the opportunity to join national teams.

Various incentive mechanisms are also envisioned for athletes and coaches. In particular, winners and prizewinners of prestigious competitions will be admitted to higher military educational institutions without having to take entrance exams. Coaches who train successful athletes at the early stages will receive additional financial bonuses.

The Head of State gave instructions on the effective organization of sports federations’ activities, the development of regional infrastructure, and comprehensive support for athletes and coaches.