MINSK, 6 November (BelTA) – Results in swimming and other sports should be better, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he officially commissioned a world-class swimming pool in Minsk in the run-up to the national holiday of 7 November, BelTA has learned.
According to the head of state, this is an important event for athletes, fans and swimming enthusiasts. After all, a landmark facility – a world-class swimming pool – has been commissioned. It is also important that this took place on the eve of 7 November.
After all, Belarus is the only country in the post-Soviet space to retain this public holiday. The president noted that new social infrastructure facilities are traditionally opened in Belarus by 7 November. The swimming pool in Minsk was one of them. It was built by Chinese specialists.
The president gave his take on the state of things in Belarusian sports and the achievements of Belarusian athletes. Aleksandr Lukashenko criticized the performance of Belarusian athletes, in particular football players. “Doom and gloom. Hockey is following suit. But maybe we will do well in swimming?” Aleksandr Lukashenko asked. According to him, at least seven people have already proved themselves as very promising in swimming. “You have everything in place to become world champions,” he emphasized, adding that good sports facilities have also been built in other cities of Belarus, like a swimming pool in Brest. “Swim, win medals. It looks like you have come close to this. God willing, you will succeed,” he continued.
“Maybe we will make a breakthrough in cycling one day,” said the president referring to the velodrome that was built in the Minsk Arena years ago. “I remember all the promises [that were made when the facility was commissioned], but things only got worse,” he noted.
“Although Belarus is not a big and rich country, it has everything in place for doing sports. Just do it,” Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized.
The head of state urged to improve the sports performance training of athletes, especially football players, who, as the president noted, are not yet able to play the entire match at the same pace.
“We are giving you a great gift,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said addressing representatives of the sports community present at the ceremony. Athletes are expected to give their all to sports, perform at the top of their game and win medals, including in top-level competitions and the Olympic Games. According to the president, although international sports functionaries became too carried away by politics, Belarusian athletes still have the opportunity to prove themselves. “Today no one prevents you from doing sports and winning. I say: defeat the Russians (there is no ban on competing with them). Win against them, and I will not ask anything more of you,” the head of state added.
“Don’t say that we were banned from something and it is a tragedy and a disaster. Well, biathletes can compete (though not all of them), they defeat the Russians. I appreciate them [Belarusian biathletes]. Why can’t others do the same?” the president asked rhetorically.
For example, Belarusian athletes have recently done well in the short course at the Swimming World Cup. “Our athletes performed quite well there. This gives hope. Of course, I do not expect us to win in most swimming disciplines, it is very difficult, because it is not only about physical training and other things. As you know, today’s sports is not only about politics, but also about pharmaceuticals, doping and so on. We can be banned, and others will win. Anything is possible. But you are capable of winning,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
In conclusion, the head of state once again congratulated everyone on the upcoming holiday and wished them the most important thing - health. “Remember, health does not come [from heaven]. If you train here [to the swimming pool], you will be healthy. You will not need a pharmacy, a hospital. You need to do sports. So - go ahead!” the head of state remarked.
BelTA reported earlier, the swimming pool in Minsk is one of the projects within the framework of humanitarian cooperation between Belarus and China. The construction started in August 2020. China designed and built the swimming pool on a turnkey basis in accordance with the technical requirements and standards of the People's Republic of China and with the technical requirements and criteria of the World Aquatics. According to the World Aquatics requirements, the facility's category is AC-5 (World and European Aquatics Championships).
The facility is expected to be used as a modern center to train national teams of Belarus, hold national competitions in aquatic sports, provide services to the general public, and host competitions of a high international level. It provides favorable conditions for training activities, nutrition, rest and recovery of athletes, scientific and methodological support.
According to the head of state, this is an important event for athletes, fans and swimming enthusiasts. After all, a landmark facility – a world-class swimming pool – has been commissioned. It is also important that this took place on the eve of 7 November.
After all, Belarus is the only country in the post-Soviet space to retain this public holiday. The president noted that new social infrastructure facilities are traditionally opened in Belarus by 7 November. The swimming pool in Minsk was one of them. It was built by Chinese specialists.
The president gave his take on the state of things in Belarusian sports and the achievements of Belarusian athletes. Aleksandr Lukashenko criticized the performance of Belarusian athletes, in particular football players. “Doom and gloom. Hockey is following suit. But maybe we will do well in swimming?” Aleksandr Lukashenko asked. According to him, at least seven people have already proved themselves as very promising in swimming. “You have everything in place to become world champions,” he emphasized, adding that good sports facilities have also been built in other cities of Belarus, like a swimming pool in Brest. “Swim, win medals. It looks like you have come close to this. God willing, you will succeed,” he continued.
“Maybe we will make a breakthrough in cycling one day,” said the president referring to the velodrome that was built in the Minsk Arena years ago. “I remember all the promises [that were made when the facility was commissioned], but things only got worse,” he noted.
“Although Belarus is not a big and rich country, it has everything in place for doing sports. Just do it,” Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized.
The head of state urged to improve the sports performance training of athletes, especially football players, who, as the president noted, are not yet able to play the entire match at the same pace.
“We are giving you a great gift,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said addressing representatives of the sports community present at the ceremony. Athletes are expected to give their all to sports, perform at the top of their game and win medals, including in top-level competitions and the Olympic Games. According to the president, although international sports functionaries became too carried away by politics, Belarusian athletes still have the opportunity to prove themselves. “Today no one prevents you from doing sports and winning. I say: defeat the Russians (there is no ban on competing with them). Win against them, and I will not ask anything more of you,” the head of state added.
“Don’t say that we were banned from something and it is a tragedy and a disaster. Well, biathletes can compete (though not all of them), they defeat the Russians. I appreciate them [Belarusian biathletes]. Why can’t others do the same?” the president asked rhetorically.
For example, Belarusian athletes have recently done well in the short course at the Swimming World Cup. “Our athletes performed quite well there. This gives hope. Of course, I do not expect us to win in most swimming disciplines, it is very difficult, because it is not only about physical training and other things. As you know, today’s sports is not only about politics, but also about pharmaceuticals, doping and so on. We can be banned, and others will win. Anything is possible. But you are capable of winning,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
In conclusion, the head of state once again congratulated everyone on the upcoming holiday and wished them the most important thing - health. “Remember, health does not come [from heaven]. If you train here [to the swimming pool], you will be healthy. You will not need a pharmacy, a hospital. You need to do sports. So - go ahead!” the head of state remarked.
BelTA reported earlier, the swimming pool in Minsk is one of the projects within the framework of humanitarian cooperation between Belarus and China. The construction started in August 2020. China designed and built the swimming pool on a turnkey basis in accordance with the technical requirements and standards of the People's Republic of China and with the technical requirements and criteria of the World Aquatics. According to the World Aquatics requirements, the facility's category is AC-5 (World and European Aquatics Championships).
The facility is expected to be used as a modern center to train national teams of Belarus, hold national competitions in aquatic sports, provide services to the general public, and host competitions of a high international level. It provides favorable conditions for training activities, nutrition, rest and recovery of athletes, scientific and methodological support.
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