Sergei Rutenko. Photo courtesy of sport5.by
MINSK, 13 June (BelTA) - Sergei Rutenko, Deputy Chairman of the Belarus’ NOC Athletes' Commission and head of the Belarusian Tennis Federation, took part in the 22nd International Athletes' Forum in Lausanne, Switzerland, BelTA learned from the press service of Belarus’ NOC.
The head of the Belarusian Tennis Federation held talks with Emma Terho, Chair of the IOC Athletes' Commission, Pau Gasol, member of the IOC Athletes’ Commission, and James Macleod, Director of the NOC Relations Department. Sergei Rutenko raised the issue of restoring the rights of Belarusian athletes and sports federations, some of which are currently unable to take full participation in international sporting life.
“The suspension of our federations is detrimental to the development of the global Olympic movement and Olympic sports, as it creates problems for athletes’ training. This is especially true for young athletes. Federations are deprived of the right to hold ranking tournaments, and as a result, young athletes lack motivation,” the head of the Belarus Tennis Federation said. “The Athletes' Commission and the IOC understand the current situation and the need to change it in the near future. The participation of Belarusian athletes in the European Youth Olympic Festival is seen as one of the important steps towards the gradual and complete return of our athletes to international tournaments.”
Sergei Rutenko also handed over to Emma Terho an invitation from Aliaksandr Bahdanovich, Chairman of the Belarus’ NOC Athletes' Commission and Head of the Belarusian Ice Hockey Federation, to visit Belarus to explore the country's sports infrastructure and get familiar with the development of Belarusian ice hockey. The 22nd International Athletes' Forum brought together more than 400 participants in Lausanne.
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