In total, 130 athletes are competing for 1-8 places in the main start. National teams hope to perform in 115 of the 302 Olympic disciplines (in Beijing-2008, we were represented in 112 disciplines, covering 26 sports). Taekwondo and football squads are expected to debut at the Olympics.
In 2010, 50 pretenders for the London event won medals in 16 sports at world and European championships. In Olympic disciplines, competing at world championships, Belarusians were among the top eight 24 times.
2011 will define the major pretenders for the Olympics in weight lifting; canoe and kayak rowing; academic rowing; marksmanship; Greek, Roman and freestyle wrestling; rhythmic gymnastics; and boxing. The first to grab places are Sergey Martynov and Victoria Chaika, in marksmanship.
