The honour for hardwork

Belarusian Paralympic athletes received well-deserved awards

This is where the really bright and happy faces are! Each of them was tested for strength and hit by fate. All of them went through a difficult path, but did not give up and found the strength to breathe deeply, to live fully and on all hundred. They set goals for themselves and stubbornly went to the dream. They did not break or bend and are truly admirable. Most recently, the President signed a decree on financial incentives for athletes who have achieved high results in the ‘We are together. Sport’ open All-Russian Paralympic competitions, and last week the awards found their heroes. 

The winners and prize-winners of the competitions received 64,000 Belarusian rubles (about $25,000) for gold, 38,400 (about $15,000) for silver and 25,600 (about $10,000) for bronze. This is a well-deserved honour for hardwork! Presenting the certificates, Belarus Sports and Tourism Minister Sergei Kovalchuk noted the resilience and temper of our Paralympic athletes, who never lose their presence of mind and always fight only for victory.
Smiles. Joy. Laughter and sparkle in the eyes. Three-time champion of the 2018 Paralympics Sviatlana Sakhanenka (now she is Motorina — she took her husband’s surname) replenished her collection of titles with two gold awards and one silver in Khanty-Mansiysk. She, as usual, was in the spotlight. Everyone received a sincere ‘thank you’ in Svetlana’s speech after the victory: doctors and massage therapists, administrators and trainers who helped in every matter. Including the Sports and Tourism Ministry, which went forward, created the conditions for preparation, did not refuse her single request. As well as the Paralympic Committee, who was always there.

Sviatlana Sakhanenka (second from left) replenished her collection of titles with two gold awards and one silver in Khanty-Mansiysk in March

Shy Valiantsina Shyts was slightly embarrassed by such attention, but it was quite noticeable — she was glad: it’s nice to receive well-deserved awards! It was Valiantsina who became the main heroine of the games in Khanty-Mansiysk, having won three championship titles! She promised not to reduce the medal speed in the new season (preparation for the upcoming tournaments is taking place right now in Raubichi). She wants to spend part of the earned fee on a car — a huge help in the life of a wheelchair user. The married couple Dmitry and Lidia Loban have three bronze medals for two — a wonderful increase in the budget! The ‘We are together. Sport’ name of the game sounds to them like a family motto, bravo! Daria Fedkovich also did a good job: she has three bronzes and a silver at the games! Together with a weighty monetary certificate, she received the prestigious title of ‘Master of Sports of International Class’. While bathed in festive tinsel and waves of good mood, the February events in Beijing were briefly remembered, but mostly between the lines — this is already in the past. However, the fact remains: world sport will never clear its name. Such blasphemy has never happened before: the International Paralympic Committee suspended delegations from Belarus and Russia from participating in the competitions a few hours before the official opening of the Paralympic Games in Beijing, under the strong pressure of their puppeteers. Thus, not only all Olympic principles were cynically violated, but athletes with disabilities were brazenly humiliated and insulted, who, overcoming the hardships of fate, purposefully prepared for the tournaments for four years. But good always triumphs over evil, and justice triumphs. Alternative games called ‘We are together. Sport’ were held in the Russian Khanty-Mansiysk. In addition, the winners and everyone who helped them in their preparations received well-deserved awards a week ago. The state once again did not stand aside and rewarded those who really deserve it.  

By Sergei Kanashits