During the XXV Winter Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, Gennadiy Golovkin, President of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Kazakhstan, met with renowned actor Jackie Chan. As a mark of respect, Golovkin presented Chan with a Kazakh national chapan and a traditional taqiyah, honoring the actor’s contribution to the Olympic event.
Jackie Chan, aged 71, notably took part in the Milano Cortina Olympic torch relay on December 22, 2025, as it passed through the historic Italian city of Pompeii, highlighting his active involvement in the Games.
An icon. A legend. Jackie Chan,
Gennadiy Golovkin wrote on his Instagram page.
Strengthening Cooperation Between Kazakhstan and China’s Olympic Committees
In Milan, the leadership from the NOCs of Kazakhstan and China held a working meeting to discuss further collaboration. The Kazakh delegation, led by Golovkin and Secretary General Alimzhan Akayev, met with their Chinese counterparts, including NOC Head Gao Zhidan and Secretary General Wu Jian.
Both sides underscored the robust level of bilateral relations and the critical role of ongoing cooperation within the Olympic movement and the wider Asian sports community. Joint training camps are a priority, particularly for women’s boxing and diving disciplines for both genders.
Chinese representatives praised Kazakhstan’s international sporting achievements, singling out figure skater Mikhail Shaidorov for winning Olympic gold. Additionally, they extended congratulations on Almaty’s successful bid to host the 2029 Asian Winter Games, emphasizing the city’s strategic location and the prestige this event brings to the region.
Commitment to Future Collaboration and Athlete Development
The discussions acknowledged Kazakhstan’s role in succeeding Harbin as host of the Asian Winter Games, representing trust from the Asian sports community. Both delegations concluded the meeting by reaffirming dedication to direct dialogue, joint initiatives, and expanding practical cooperation to enhance athlete training and regional sports development.
