Posted: 15.01.2025 14:00:00

Belarus’ NOC President: IOC obviously eager to restore integrity of world’s main competitions

The National Olympic Committee of Belarus has held its general reporting-and-election assembly today, January, and its President, Head of the Executive Committee Viktor Lukashenko, summed up the results of 2021-2024, saying the period was not simple

“Perhaps it was one of the most difficult in the history of Belarus’ sovereign sports. It was characterised not only by COVID related restrictions, which are happily a matter of the past, but also by the restrictive political measures against Belarusian athletes in the international arena," Viktor Lukashenko said. “Three years later, it can be stated that the hasty imposition of unjustified sanctions by the IOC in favour of the political ambitions of the West has played a cruel joke on it and is doing more harm than good to the IOC reputation and political independence.”

The NOC President noted the clear desire of the International Olympic Committee to restore the integrity of the main world competitions and return our athletes to the international stage. "However, some international federations have seized the opportunity to completely exclude our athletes from world sports and continue to play their unfair game," Viktor Lukashenko remarked. “At the same time, a large part of the sports community understands the need for our athletes to return to the international arena and is in daily contact with our NOC, providing assistance in solving the most pressing issue of the sphere.”

Viktor Lukashenko added that the NOC is working closely with the IOC and the heads of international federations to restore the rights of Belarusian athletes and participate in international competitions in a full format, with the flag and the anthem – but first in a neutral status.

At the beginning of today’s event, NOC President Viktor Lukashenko presented awards to the Paris Olympics winners and their coaches. The Paris Games champion, two-time Olympic champion in trampolining Ivan Litvinovich, silver Olympic medallists in trampolining Viyaleta Bardzilouskaya, silver medal holder of the Paris Games in academic rowing Yauheni Zalaty, and bronze winner Yauheni Tsikhantsou were awarded the Badge of Honour for Services in Development of Belarus’ Olympic Movement. The NOC medals For Outstanding Services were presented to the national team coaches: Olga Vlasova (trampoline), Vitaly Bely (rowing), and Valery Sizenok (weightlifting).