MOSCOW, 1 June (BelTA) - A big Belarusian delegation is taking part in the International Forum for Young Olympians that kicked off in Moscow on 1 June, BelTA has learned.
More than 60 young Belarusian athletes representing 22 sports have come to the forum. Within the two-day event they will get familiar with the latest developments in physical and special training, psychology, rehabilitation after injuries and anti-doping programs. Seminars and lectures will be conducted by Russia's leading specialists in reserve sports training.
The Belarusian delegation includes children who have already achieved success, winners of the Belarusian championships and various international competitions: Lizaveta Laurynovich (modern pentathlon), Ramin Mekhdiyev (freestyle wrestling), Valeriya Shymanskaya (synchronized swimming), Kseniya Stseshyts (rhythmic gymnastics). Taking part in the forum as guests are Olympic champion Alla Tsuper (aerials skiing), world biathlon champion Elena Zubrilova and medalist of the world and European rhythmic gymnastics championships Katsiaryna Halkina.
“It is important amid the conditions of external pressure to keep competitive activity, and first of all for children,” Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko said at the opening ceremony of the forum. “I am glad to see delegates from our friendly countries here. I would like to greet you all – representatives of Belarus, Armenia, China, Uzbekistan. Thank you so much for coming,” he added.
“Dear children, you have chosen a difficult path - professional sport. Not everything is as easy as it seems here,” Aide to the President of the Russian Federation Igor Levitin said addressing the forum participants. “Today sport has turned into politics. No one would have thought that on International Children's Day we would have to protect our athletes, our children who have chosen this path,” he said.
Russian Minister of Sports Oleg Matytsin spoke about the importance of unity in the face of sanctions. “When it is difficult, we have to give each other a shoulder, stay together, prove to the whole world that our values are the values of friendship, respect for our history. The principles of victory must be fair. I am sure that our united international team will overcome all the difficulties,” he stressed.
Photos courtesy of the National Olympic Committee of Belarus
