MINSK, 8 May (BelTA) – Belarusian sport officials laid flowers at the Minsk Hero City Monument ahead of the Victory Day celebrations on 9 May, BelTA has learned.
Taking part in the ceremony was President of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Belarus Viktor Lukashenko, Sport and Tourism Minister Sergei Kovalchuk, Chairman of the Belarusian Tennis Federation Sergei Rutenko, representatives of the NOC, the Sport and Tourism Ministry, the Raubichi Winter Olympic Center, the Belarusian State University of Physical Education, sports federations and club teams, including HC Dinamo Minsk and SKA handball team.
“I always have mixed feelings on this day. On the one hand, Victory Day is a great holiday. At the same time, it is impossible to forget the losses our people suffered during the war. We know what happened at that time, that is why the feeling of joy is always accompanied with sorrow. This victory came at a heavy price for our ancestors, and today we feel proud that we are the heirs of the victorious nation,” Sergei Rutenko said.
Flowers and wreaths were laid at the Minsk Hero City Monument by famous Belarusian athletes, including Olympic champions Sergei Martynov (shooting) and Alla Tsuper (aerials), Olympic medalists Natallia Tsylinskaya (cycling), Maryna Litvinchuk, Volha Khudzenka (sprint canoe), Maksim Nedasekau (athletics), medalist of international speed skating tournaments Hanna Damaratskaya, and many others.
“9 May is a wonderful day when we pay tribute to our ancestors who defended the Belarusian land. I am immensely grateful to our soldiers who gave their lives for us and thanks to whom we can enjoy life in peace and raise our children,” Volha Khudzenka said.
“I am proud that thanks to our ancestors, our parents, we and our children have the opportunity to live under a peaceful sky. I wholeheartedly congratulate the citizens of our country on Victory Day, wish them good health and enjoy their peaceful and flourishing Belarus,” Maryna Litvinchuk said.
