10th Russia-China Summer Youth Games Open in Kaliningrad

On 25 May 2026, the ceremonial opening of the anniversary 10th Russia-China Summer Youth Games took place in the town of Svetlogorsk in the Kaliningrad Oblast. The Games will run until 31 May. A greeting from Russian President Vladimir Putin was delivered by Russian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev. The President stressed that the peoples of Russia and China are united by long-standing ties of friendship and partnership.

“I would like to note with satisfaction that, having started in 2006 in Tianjin, this large-scale international project has significantly strengthened its unifying, creative and educational potential, growing into a major and colourful celebration of sport, youth, and cultural and business exchange. The Games fully reflect the traditionally friendly and partner-like relations between the peoples of Russia and China and constitute an important component of our humanitarian cooperation,” Vladimir Putin stated.

During talks with Vladimir Putin in Beijing on 20 May 2026, President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping noted that Chinese-Russian friendship is increasingly supported by younger generations. He emphasised that the peoples of the two countries are drawing closer together and achieving deeper mutual understanding.

This year, the 10th Games coincide with the 80th anniversary of Kaliningrad Oblast and form part of the region’s jubilee celebrations. More than 600 athletes will compete in 12 sports disciplines. Entry for spectators to all venues is free of charge.

The history of this major project began 20 years ago, in 2005, during a working meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Hu Jintao, where an agreement was reached to create a programme for the development of sport and physical culture aimed at strengthening bilateral relations. The first Games were held in Tianjin in 2006, and since then the competition has taken place every two years, alternately in Russia and China. In 2016, the project expanded to include winter sports, with the inaugural Winter Youth Games held in Harbin, followed by the next edition in Ufa two years later.

The Games have become a springboard for many participants who later achieved success on the international sporting stage. For example, Savely Korostylev, who competed in the 2022 Games, later became a leading member of Russia’s national cross-country skiing team. Speed skater Anastasia Semyonova won four gold medals at the competition and became its most decorated athlete, while multiple world swimming champion Miron Lifintsev delivered impressive performances in 2023.

The competitions will be held across five venues in Kaliningrad. Athletes will compete for medals in badminton, basketball, boxing, volleyball, table tennis, beach volleyball, wrestling, sambo, artistic swimming, sport climbing, wushu and rhythmic gymnastics.

Photo: Telegram channel of the 10th Russia-China Summer Youth Games.