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Mrs. Evelin Ilves to young athletes: you set an example to your peers!
04.05.2011
“Other young people will rely upon your excellence; you set an example – this is a great honour, but also a duty not to give up, and you must always strive for better and better results,” said Mrs. Evelin Ilves, who today in Kadriorg presented this spring’s Young Athlete’s Awards to sisters-figure skates, Nanette Christine and Naomi Charlotta Andersson (1,789 euros), yachtsman Sten Christian Taal (958 euros) and swimmer Elisabeth Egel (447 euros).
Mrs. Evelin Ilves said that both a commitment to studies and sports play an important role in a child’s development. “Certainly, studies must not suffer because of sports, but it should also work vice versa. This is why I am glad to acknowledge this year’s recipients of the Young Athlete’s Awards, who have straight As and are excelling athletes,” Mrs. lisas Evelin Ilves added.
Mr. Christian Taal, a yachtsman in the Sailing Sports School of Kalev Yacht Club, who took the floor on behalf of the young athletes, thanked Nordea Bank, which awards and funds the prize. “This is a unique award, which is give for results that are equally good in sports and studies. This is not just another prize for us – this will motivate us to strive even more,” Mr. Taal added.
Nordea has acknowledged young athletes since 2009, as it is a great honour for the bank to support the efforts of young athletes in reaching the top. The Estonian CEO of Nordea Bank, Mr. Vahur Kraft, emphasised that if one wants to achieve great results in sports, a good team is very important that will help the young people to become strong and able and ultimately achieve good results. “Therefore, never forget those who support and inspire you, as good results and good opportunities are always born out of co-operation,” Mr. Kraft added.
Sisters Nanette Christine (born 2002) and Naomi Charlotta (born 2000) Andersson are figure skaters from the Tritsutajad figure skating club in Tartu. Both girls are very hard-working and persistent young athletes, and they are committed to making progress in sports – their talent, skills and willpower will definitely contribute to their success. The sisters study in Tartu Catholic School and their results are outstandingly good. The sisters will use the Young Athlete’s Award to fund their competition expenses.
Sten Christian Taal (born 1994) is a yachtsman in the Sailing Sports School of Kalev Yacht Club. Sten Christian is a young and motivated sportsman, and his studies never suffer because of his hobby. He studies in grade 10 of Viimsi High School and has graduated from each grade with honours. Sten Christian is a member of the Estonian representative team, and sailing is his passion. Sten Christian will use the award to update his competing equipment.
Elisabeth Egel (born 2000) has been swimming since 2005 and almost immediately started to participate in swimming competitions organised in Estonia for disabled people. Elisabeth has a serious visual impairment; however, she studies in the common class of the Old Town Educational College of Tallinn. She also studies piano in a music school and English language in a language school. Elisabeth will use the award to participate in an international championship in Germany.
The Young Athlete’s Prize is presented by the First Lady’s Foundation of the President of the Republic’s Cultural Foundation and is intended to acknowledge young, under-21-year-olds with very good academic achievements. The prize is intended to cover training and competition costs. The prize is financed by Nordea Bank and is awarded twice a year – in April and in November. The amount per recipient for the Young Athlete’s Prize is up to 3,195 EUR (50,000 Estonian kroons; the accurate exchange rate will be applied upon transfer of the award). The prize is being awarded for the fourth time.
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