MINSK, 9 January (BelTA) – The best athletes of 2016 have been presented with awards of the Belarusian Sports and Tourism Ministry in Minsk on 9 January, BelTA learned from the press service of the Sports and Tourism Ministry.
The awards were presented by Sports and Tourism Minister Alexander Shamko.
The most attention at the ceremony was paid to the medalists of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Brazil. Belarusian athletes won nine (one gold, four silver and four bronze) medals at the Rio Games. Belarusian Paralympians brought home 10 medals (eight gold and two bronze) from Rio de Janeiro.
All of them received the badge of the Sports and Tourism Ministry “For the Development of Physical Education and Sport in Belarus” in recognition of their professionalism and considerable contribution to the development of physical education and sport in Belarus, high achievements at the 31st Summer Olympic Games and the 15th Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Athletes and guests of the ceremony, including three-time Olympic champion Alexander Medved, were also invited to a sport and music show featuring synchronized swimmers and water jumpers, and also rising stars in the Belarusian aerials. The audience was also offered Irina Vidova's show which featured a theater of gymnastics of the Belarusian State University of Physical Education and the Sensatsia ballet show.
