Screenshot from STV video
MINSK, 21 September (BelTA) – I am not embarrassed to remember that incident, Secretary General of the Belarusian Ice Hockey Federation, defender of the Belarusian president’s ice hockey team Andrei Bashko said in an interview with the STV channel recalling his fall in front of the president at the Minsk Ski Track tournament in 2021, BelTA has learned.
A video featuring Aleksandr Lukashenko went vital on social media in 2021. The president was participating in the Minsk ski race. Suddenly, one of the skiers, who, as it might seem, was skiing for the first time in his life, fell down in front of Aleksandr Lukashenko. Of course, there were some spiteful comments: ‘look who Lukashenko competes with. They field inexperienced athletes for the president to come first’. The journalists tracked down the skier who turned out to be... famous ice hockey player Andrei Bashko! It was to him that the head of state extended a helping hand.
Andrei Bashko said he is not embarrassed to talk about that incident. “Some probably want me to say that everything was planned in advance,” he remarked with a smile.
According to Andrei Bashko, he feels confident on skis. But back then excitement took over him. He said he did not expect to see the head of state close by and just got overwhelmed. “The president probably did not recognize me from the back but when he did he gave me some tips - what to do to feel confident on skis. I think he would have helped any person. It does not depend on who is in front of the head of state. He always treats any person equally,” Andrei Bashko said.
According to him, that fall became a kind of useful experience. Andrei Bashko bought professional equipment and the following year he never fell down again. “It is a very wise move on the part of our president to organize such competitions. People prepare for them for a whole season, and it is a good reason to keep fit, among other things. It is a very good sport and it is a smart move to promote it,” Andrei Bashko added.
Follow us on:
