MOSCOW, June 18 (RIA Novosti) - The final competition of the 16th All-Russian Olympic Day of Running was held in Moscow on Olympiisky avenue.
The running on the symbolic distance of 2,012 meters was held during the event. The runners, who were Olympic Champions, journalists, athletic families, sports veterans, representatives of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) and Federal Agency of Physical Culture and Sport, signed an open letter for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in support of Moscow to host the 2012 Olympics.
The letter could have been signed by anyone willing to do it. A huge banner was installed on Saturday near the Olympiisky sports center. People were leaving their signatures on the banner and were writing words in support of the Moscow's application to the IOC to host the 2012 Summer Olympic Games. Famous figure skater Irina Rodnina was among those, who left their signatures.
"Many people gathered on Olympiisky avenue. They love sports and support the idea of the 2012 Olympics in Moscow. Those who signed today the open letter to the IOC honestly hope that on July 6 in Singapore a historic choice will be made and the Olympic fire will be lit in Moscow in 2012," many times Olympic champion Rodnina said.
Head of the Federal Agency of Physical Culture and Sport Vyacheslav Fetisov, IOC Vice President Vitaly Smirnov, ROC Vice President Gennady Alyoshin and Vice President of All-Russian Track and Field Federation Vladimir Usachyov opened the running competition.
"I believe that having consolidated our efforts we can hold such sports holidays regularly," Fetisov said at the opening ceremony. He added that the action in support of Moscow 2012 was also held within the frames of the event.
Smirnov in his turn said that the All-Russian Olympic Day of Running was held for the 16th time. The IOC holds similar sports holidays in many cities of the world, he added.
The All-Russian Olympic Day of running is held annually by the IOC and the International Association of Track and Field Federations. Over three million people from hundreds of cities and villages all over Russia participated last year in the event.
