NOC President congratulated Belarus’ team on triumph at RBU Cup in Ufa

The President of the National Olympic Committee, Viktor Lukashenko, has congratulated Belarus’ national team on their triumphant performance at the Cup of the Russian Biathlon Union in the capital of the Republic of Bashkortostan – as informed by the NOC press service

"Dear athletes, coaches, representatives of the service team, medical and administrative staff! Throughout the competition days at the Cup of the Russian Biathlon Union in Ufa, the Belarusian team demonstrated their professionalism and a high level of skill of our shooting skiers. Four gold, two silver and two bronze medals are an example of willpower and spirit, focus on results, and unconditional faith in victory. Your trainers, relatives and, definitely, all Belarusian fans are rightfully proud of you," the congratulatory message reads.

Viktor Lukashenko highlighted the brilliant performances of Anton Smolski, Dzmitry Lazouski and Mikita Labastau, “Thanks to your dedicated work, well-co-ordinated and thoughtful training process during the season, you have managed to achieve such impressive results in the capital of Bashkortostan. This is a well-deserved award for your talent and dedication, as well as evidence of the hard daily work of the coaching staff, service personnel and the whole team."

The President of Belarus’ National Olympic Committee also extended his support to the athletes, “Dear athletes! We all know well – and you are aware of this better than others – how hard it is to get victories in modern high-achievement sports, what their price is and how much work is needed to win. And it is doubly more difficult when sports are mixed up with some obviously nonrelevant events – in particular, with politics. We are now all under an unfair and unprecedented pressure from international sports structures, but this does not prevent us from developing physical culture and sports in Belarus. The actions against our teams and athletes are absolutely discriminatory, so in these difficult conditions we must unite, show our steel character and mastery in sports arenas. Despite the illegitimate and unjustified suspension of you – innocent athletes – from international competitions, you have proved that Belarusian biathlon is competitive and has a very serious potential. I would like to emphasise that athletes and all sports fans of our country should have no doubts: we will always support you and the ideas of pure sport in all its manifestations."

Viktor Lukashenko sincerely wished good health, successes, new achievements and victories to all team members, and also thanked the Russian side for inviting our biathletes and organisation of the competitions at such a high level.