MINSK, 15 September (BelTA) - An expanded meeting of the Athletes' Commissions of the National Olympic Committee of Belarus and the Russian Olympic Committee opened at the Luzhniki Big Sports Arena in Moscow on 15 September, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian NOC.
President of the Belarusian NOC Viktor Lukashenko welcomed the participants and noted that in April this year as Minsk hosted the second edition of the National Athletes Forum, the parties already discussed various topics, ways to protect athletes, held clinics for young Belarusian athletes, and everyone liked the format. "Now is a difficult time for Belarusian and Russian sport, but athletes have always been known for the fighting spirit. Difficulties only harden them. You compete for our countries, and you do this not only for yourself, but also for your homeland. We are proud of you and will do everything to support you," Viktor Lukashenko said.
Head of the Russian Olympic Committee Stanislav Pozdnyakov noted that recently contacts between athletes and heads of sports federations of Belarus and Russia have become regular. He stressed that only by joint efforts that it is possible to overcome difficulties and achieve significant results.
The forum, which will be running in the Russian capital for two days, has brought together more than 200 athletes representing all Olympic sports. Together with representatives of sports federations, they are set to discuss topical problems of the sector, the situation in the international sports movement, the education of athletes and the possibility of their self-realization after retiring from sport.
On 16 September, Belarusian and Russian athletes - medalists of the Olympics and World Championships Alla Tsuper, Aliaksandr Bahdanovich, Katsiaryna Halkina, Andrei Kazusenok, Sviatlana Tsimashenka, Daria Naumova, and others will hold clinics for young students of sports schools.
