| 2009-08-31 |
Published: REGIONS.RU Information Agency |
The ITERA International Group of Companies Team was a participant in a traditional Charitable Red Square Cycle Race held by the Downside-Up Foundation. The race started in the Odintsovski District of the Moscow Region on August 28 and finished near walls of the Kremlin on August 30. Funds collected from participant teams shall be invested in rehabilitation programs for Russian children with Down's syndrome.
ITERA fielded something one may call a team of stars. According to REGIONS.RU, it included employees of the Company, famed veterans of the national cycling: Yuri Amelkhin, Anatoly Bessonov, Ivan Mishchenko, and Peter Chevardov. They happened to win gold medals in the USSR, Russia and world championship, as well as in prestigious international cycle races. Andrew Vostrikov, a 22-year-old athlete, was the fifth member of the ITERA corporate team. He was an all-round champion of Russia and the World in Olympic gymnastics among children with disabilities, a gold prizewinner in the Special Olympiad in Shanghai. So, he did not get lost among eminent racers of the team.
"Andrew is a talented chap. He immediately fit in our friendly collective, - Peter Chevardov, the ITERA team captain, pointed out. He was a success in the Moscow Region races and won the first leg of the race. Like the rest in the team, he participated in various engrossing competitions".
The cycling race moved to Moscow on Sunday after a two-days-long race in the picturesque Moscow region. A colorful column of athletes passed along the Moscow river embankment from Novodevichi Convent to Vasilyevski slope. The column was headed by Serge Ivanov, a six time champion of Russia, member of Katusha, the first Russian professional team, winner in the legs of Tour de France and international cycle races, and Vera Krasova, Vice Miss-Universe. Numerous friends, partners, the Foundation alumnae and newsmen met 160 valiant cyclists of 26 teams with a storm of applause in Red Square.
"When I was offered to join this charitable festivity, I immediately gave my consent, - Serge Ivanov said. It was an honor for me, because a cycle race had the noblest aim: the collected funds shall be allocated to help children with Down’s syndrome".
Participants in the press-conference in Vasilyevski slope said the society should help children who suffered from Down’s syndrome to identify their interests and possibilities and to establish conditions for their social integration. Alexander Gusiatnikov, Vice-President of the Federation of Bicycling of Russia, pointed out that ITERA International Group of Companies was very informal in this charitable act by fielding the Star Cycling Team for the race and inviting professionals from Katyusha Cycling Team, which is well known around the world, to participate in the festivity. He stressed it was the tenth year now that ITERA, headed by Igor Makarov, a prominent bicycle racer, world-class athlete, had been a general sponsor for the Federation of Bicycling of Russia and was doing all it could to help develop the Russian bicycling.
A cycling completion among children with Down's syndrome on the paving stone of Red Square, a concert performed by a children’s group DomisolKa and Let’s Hug event made the festivity culmination. Winners in the competition were rewarded. ITERA received a challenge cup and a diploma for top position among corporate teams. Peter Chevardov, Capitan of the Team, was dignified with a rank of the Strongest Participant in the Cycle Race, while Andrew Vostrikov received a medal and a diploma for the will-to-win spirit and athletic feats.
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