President Shavkat Mirziyoyev was presented with proposals for the development of the Olympic and Paralympic movement in Uzbekistan ahead of the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.
The presentation outlined plans to build on the country’s performance at the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris, where Uzbek athletes ranked 13th in the overall team standings in both events.
The newly developed draft resolution includes ten strategic priorities. These range from categorizing sports into priority and developmental levels to identifying young talent transparently at the grassroots. The initiative also emphasizes adopting international best practices, expanding training camps for national teams, and improving the technical and material infrastructure.
A nationwide program, along with clear target indicators, will guide Uzbekistan’s preparation for the XXXIV Summer Olympic and XVIII Paralympic Games. As part of a decentralized approach, 14 regional branches of the National Olympic Committee have been established.
Regional leaders—including the Chairman of the Jokargi Kenes of Karakalpakstan and governors—will serve as presidential representatives for Olympic development in their areas. They will work closely with specialists from the Ministry of Sports and the Olympic Committee.
A new competition, Olympic Peaks of New Uzbekistan, will be introduced to scout and train future Olympians in a structured, three-stage format. Its final round, dubbed the Presidential Olympics, will be hosted annually in the Olympic Village, offering top performers direct entry into national Olympic centers for professional training.
The Republican Olympic and Paralympic Center will serve as a national talent hub, with operations funded by the state budget starting in 2026. The center will function as both a high school and a two-year college, with increased enrollment and scholarships provided to students by the Ministry of Sports. Its facilities will be supported by the Olympic Village, which will be available at no cost for athlete training.
To broaden the talent pool, reforms will be introduced to enhance the role of private sports clubs and integrate them into the official competition system. High-performing athletes from these clubs will become eligible for national team selection.
New incentives are also being introduced for athletes and coaches. Medalists at international competitions will gain direct admission to military higher education institutions, and coaches who contribute to early-stage athlete development will receive a portion of the athlete’s bonuses.
President Mirziyoyev emphasized the importance of building long-term infrastructure and improving the capacity of regional sports federations. He instructed officials to ensure full support for athletes and coaches as Uzbekistan looks to cement a sustainable foundation for Olympic success.
“The goal is not just to succeed in one Olympics,” the presidential press service stated, “but to establish a permanent system that produces elite athletes for generations to come.”
