Bhubaneswar: Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik welcomed Olly, Thursday the official mascot of the 22nd Asian Asian Athletics Championships, after it completed roadshows at all the 30 district headquarters of the state.
Naveen welcomed Olly with a flower bouquet at the state secretariat. He had earlier flagged off the roadshow at the Kalinga Stadium here June 12.
The mascot toured all the district headquarters of the state to generate awareness amongst the people of the state and to involve them in the sports extravaganza.
Olly belongs to the endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles that travel thousands of miles in the ocean and arrive in millions every year on the Rushikulya and Gahirmatha beaches of the state for their annual nesting.
The 22nd edition of Asia’s flagship Athletics meet will be a qualifying event for the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Championships in London.
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