France's Sports Minister apologized for wrong Kazakh anthem

French Sports Minister David Douillet sent his Kazakh counterpart a letter of apologies for playing an old version of Kazakhstan's anthem at the World Weight-lifting Championship in Paris, Tengrinews.kz reports. “I am deeply sorry for the incident during the awarding ceremony when the old anthem of Kazakhstan was played. National anthem is a powerful symbol of a country's identity and I very well understand your feelings and the feelings of our countrymen regarding this incident amid Kazakhstan's preparations for the 20th anniversary of its independence,” the letter addressed to Kazakhstan Minister of Tourism and Sport Talgat Yermegiyayev stated. Besides, David Douillet congratulated Yermegiyayev on successful organization of the Winter Asian games and the first round of the World Cycle Track Cup. Earlier Tengrinews.kz English reported that Zulfiya Chinshanlo won Kazakhstan's first gold medal in the World Championship in Paris. She lifted 227 kilograms (97+130) in total after two exercises. Lifting 130 kilos in clean and jerk she set a new world record for women in this weight league. When she was awarded the medal the old anthem of Kazakhstan started playing to her and all other Kazakhs' surprise.