MINSK, 30 May (BelTA) – Belarus' performance at the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro was a failure, Belarus President, President of the National Olympic Committee of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said at the Olympic meeting of the National Olympic Committee of Belarus on 30 May, BelTA has learned.
“The team's performance was a total failure: the 40th place in the medal table. Does it meet the level of our investment in sport and the state's attention to this area? There is no point in looking for reasons by blaming the climate, Brazil's poor organization and biased judging. Everyone understood that the Olympics in Rio were not a tourist stroll. It was the toughest exam,” the President noted.
The head of state recalled that prior to the departure of Team Belarus for the Olympics he held a meeting with the members of the team, best professionals. “Then neither one of them had any complaints. No one said that there was a lack of some things that would hinder them prepare for the successful performance. This Olympic cycle you got everything you asked for from the state: in terms of funding, training, solution of any issues. Knowing my attitude to sport, no ministry, agency, medical institution or an organization could turn your requests down,” Alexander Lukashenko said.
He noted that all are satisfied with the results but for fans. “The Winter Olympics in South Korea is not far off. How will we fare there?" the president asked.
He added that the hockey team failed without putting a fight. “This, unfortunately, shows the overall state of this sport in our country. I just had to take serious personnel decisions,” Alexander Lukashenko underlined.
