MINSK, 26 February (BelTA) – Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko was offered to become the honorary president of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) at the NOC Olympic meeting on 26 February. The Belarusian head of state refused the proposal, BelTA has learned.
The position of the honorary president of the National Olympic Committee is stipulated in the new wording of the NOC Charter which was adopted at the Olympic meeting on 26 February. However, the issue of electing the honorary president of the NOC was not included in the agenda of the meeting.
Such an initiative was suggested by Anton Yuspa, deputy chairman of the Street Sports Federation. “Aleksandr Grigoriyevich [Lukashenko] has made a significant contribution to the development of the Olympic movement and sports in the country. I think this is the most significant contribution in the history of our country. If it is appropriate here, I would like to nominate Aleksandr Grigoriyevich for the position of NOC honorary president,” he said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko, however, considered this proposal premature and declined. “We do not have to do it now. It has been done for the future,” the president said. The head of state added that, as president, he would remain involved in sport issues in the country.