Lukashenko to Western bosses: you’re killing the spirit and meaning of Olympic movement. It’s a sign of weakness and fear

The sports forum, currently hosted by Belarus, has a great future, and this future is in our hands – as stated by the President of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, at the opening ceremony of the 2nd CIS Games at Minsk-Arena

photo: www.president.gov.by

The Head of State stressed that this sports forum, which has a great future, will be held in Belarus with dignity, “No matter how hard the world bosses – embittered, but powerless – are striving to take it away. I’m confident they see us now too. Watch, listen, and draw conclusions. You are trying to eliminate strong competitors from international sports. You want to take away our sports victories. You’re killing the spirit and meaning of the Olympic movement. This is a sign of weakness and your fear. This is an attempt to hide behind the iron curtain from the truth of life. This is a recognition of the power of our deepest values, which are shared by the vast majority of people on the planet, including ordinary Europeans and Americans. Just look: thousands have gathered here, and the broadcast is watched by millions.”

The President underlined, “Everyone will see not only our beautiful Belarus, but also the culture of those twenty countries that the leading athletes represent... Everyone will see modern arenas, strong athletes, bright matches and new records, and most importantly, great international interest in these Games. Over two thousand athletes from more than twenty countries from different continents came to us. No sanctions, no political intrigues will deprive us of this holiday. This is impossible. The world is small, interdependent, and interconnected. And only madmen try to break these ties.”