MINSK, 27 June (BelTA) – Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko went to see a canoe sprint competition held as part of the 2nd European Games Minsk 2019 on 27 June, BelTA has learned.
The head of state was one of the fans watching the competition from the stands. On this day Belarusian canoers managed to once again confirm their outstanding sport skills. Despite the complicated weather conditions the collection of Belarusian medals during the 2nd European Games Minsk 2019 grew larger with the gold medals won by Artsem Kozyr and Alena Nazdrova in 200m races. Belarus' Maryna Litvinchuk won another gold medal in a 5000m race today.
“There were many fans in the stands. The head of state came to see our performance, this is why the entire team did their best,” Artsem Kozyr shared his emotions with reporters.
The head of state said a few kind words to the athletes and wished them more victories during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The 2nd European Games champion Maryna Litvinchuk took a selfie with the head of state and received a box of chocolates from him.
The president had a few words for volunteers too, who are ubiquitous at all the sport venues. He thanked them for their hard work.
Aleksandr Lukashenko also talked to other fans, who were pleasantly surprised by the president's presence in the stands. His presence also added emotions from sport victories. The people took pictures with the head of state. The president gifted a bar of chocolate to a small kid, who had been watching the competitions on hands of the parents.
While on site Aleksandr Lukashenko also talked briefly to a representative of the Polish Press Agency, who wondered about the president's impressions. Aleksandr Lukashenko wished the next European Games in Krakow to be as good as the games in Minsk. “And get ready. We will bring the strongest team. We should shake up our neighbors a bit. In the spirit of sportsmanship, of course. Say hello to our friends,” the Belarusian leader said.
