Second year in a row, the evidence for the successful realization of the “Young Talent Duathlon”is presented before you. This text testifies the projects successful realization on the Macedonian soil. The absolute conquer of Macedonian territory through sports is starting to realize easy and step by step. With major effort put into it and to-the-end persistence we may praise ourselves that we are standing behind a sensational and unforgettable, one more duathlon race for healthier and active life. The caravan has departed in the early morning on 21 October 2009, with its first destination the town of Struga. And we have not mistaken, but quite opposite. The benevolence of the citizens and the schools employees have made the feeling for us no to doubt our first choice – Struga. Weather conditions have added even more to the overall mood that lasted for the whole day.

Struga was opened to and welcomed us as a hard-working host. We were served with morning coffee and tea to instigate us for a successful day. And it was a successful day indeed. Race preparations have passed without any problems and with a great enthusiasm and even greater expectations. Continuous questions from the citizens interested were considered as proof that Struga, indeed has the need for events that will provide something different instead of their daily town monotony.Young athletes have arrived much earlier than the schedule. Their impatience shown throughout the excited faces, silently have born the wish to start earlier with the event.  The excitement was growing stronger as the time for the race start was coming closer.

                Event culmination was the race start. Drama, excitement, adrenaline and increased uncertainty were present until the end. Young participants have given their best to finish the first three places. Those who were placed in the first three places have gone home with big smiles. Those who did not, left home with a little disappointment but with double the wish for the next year to give even more than their best.

One more silent afternoon raised in Struga. The noise has gone down and the caravan slowly prepared for departure to its next destination. Tired from the excitements and impressions, the team of “Integrity AO” continued to their new challenge, named Bitola.

Our most famous singer Toshe Proeski was right when he sung “If I go to Bitola”. We have had a spectacular appearance in Bitola with all the glory. Hospitality, organization , politeness… total victory for the excellent collaboration between the parties of NGO “Integrity AO”, Bitola’s municipality and the elementary and high schools that have taken part in this event. The crowd witnessed a professional duathlon competition with high world standards. Absolute respect was given to the written duathlon rules and regulations, but also were respected the unwritten moral rules of sport behavior. The pleasure was mutual.

Bitola, undoubtedly have shown its charm and even through sport. The grandness of the event was written in the memories that will last for a long time in Bitola until its next arrival. The City of the consuls was left behind as a monument of a great sporting spirit and big wish to contribute in the affirmation of the sports culture.

But besides the great wish for the next day for the caravan’s journey to continue to Probishtip, the bad weather conditions have permitted us from reaching that destination. But we promised that the youngsters from Probishtip will have the opportunity to compete in the grand finale in Skopje.

We’ve reached the grand finale. It was enormous indeed. Without false modesty we proudly can state that as same as we started we have finished. The event was attended by the winners from Struga and Bitola and participants from Probishtip and Skopje. The event was inaugurated with the Macedonian and United States hymn. Greetings were sent to the guests of the event like: Mayors of Struga and Skopje, the Director of the Agency for Youth and Sport, the President of the Triathlon federation in Macedonia and to the representative from the US Embassy.

Hosts were satisfied and the guests even more so they have separated with one promise to meet each other next year in a same event.

One part of the Universal Declaration brought by the Organization of the United Nations is: “Volunteering is one of the basic fundamental pillars of civil society which affirms the noblest aspirations of man - advocate for peace, freedom, equal opportunity, security and justice for all people”. Young people haven’t missed the opportunity for them to strengthen their humanity and to overcome the differences that prevent us from living together so through this event, one innovative solution for all intolerance problems was directly presented

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