Photo courtesy of the Belarusian Sports Ministry
MINSK, 13 February (BelTA) – In 2025, Belarusian athletes secured over 730 awards at various international competitions, Belarusian Sports Minister Sergei Kovalchuk announced this at the outcome board meeting of the ministry, BelTA has learned.
Belarusian athletes also posted solid results at World and European junior championships: sports reserve representatives secured 304 medals (75, 97, 132).
The minister further noted that in 2026, Belarusian athletes will take part in World and European championships and cups. To be sure, not all international federations have yet lifted sanctions, particularly in team events. Yet the comeback is gaining momentum, and now it’s up to our athletes to deliver. 2026 will also see the continuation of the Strongest Athletes Cup competitions in winter and summer sports. Just recently, Raubichi hosted a leg of the Commonwealth Biathlon Cup. According to feedback from athletes and guests, it was organized at the highest level and was in no way inferior to World Cup events.
The minister noted that with the gradual readmission of Belarusian athletes to international competitions, Belarus’ national and combined teams secured 735 medals at World and European championships and cups in 2025: 192 gold, 229 silver and 314 bronze medals. At planetary and continental championships specifically, Belarusians claimed 117 awards: 33 gold, 37 silver and 47 bronze, including 40 medals in Olympic disciplines (11, 9, 20). At the 3rd CIS Games in Azerbaijan, Belarusian athletes took 122 medals (32, 38, 52) and finished third in the overall team medal standings. At the 25th Summer Deaflympics in 2025, Belarusians earned 12 medals (3, 4, 5).
Belarusian athletes also posted solid results at World and European junior championships: sports reserve representatives secured 304 medals (75, 97, 132).
The minister further noted that in 2026, Belarusian athletes will take part in World and European championships and cups. To be sure, not all international federations have yet lifted sanctions, particularly in team events. Yet the comeback is gaining momentum, and now it’s up to our athletes to deliver. 2026 will also see the continuation of the Strongest Athletes Cup competitions in winter and summer sports. Just recently, Raubichi hosted a leg of the Commonwealth Biathlon Cup. According to feedback from athletes and guests, it was organized at the highest level and was in no way inferior to World Cup events.
In addition, Minsk will host traditional tournaments, including the Aleksandr Medved wrestling memorial, the 30th edition of the sambo tournament, and the Fencing Championship of the Union State of Belarus and Russia. At the end of 2025, the International Olympic Committee lifted its ban on hosting official international competitions in Belarus, which will undoubtedly attract foreign athletes to our country and allow spectators to see world stars. Another positive IOC decision permits Belarusian athletes to compete in youth events with national symbols: their own flag and anthem. “We welcome such steps from international sports organizations. Let us hope that common sense will prevail and Belarusians will soon return fully to the international sports family,” Sergei Kovalchuk emphasized.
Photos by Sergei Sheleg/BelTA
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