The next edition of the Olympic Games, which is due to take place in 2026, seems to be a calm one for the NOC of Belarus. A landmark event has recently taken place in the sports world. A woman has been elected as the new president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for the first time. Thomas Bach is being replaced at the post of the IOC head by former swimmer and two-time Olympic champion Kirsty Coventry from Zimbabwe. With the recent changes can Belarusian athletes expect a quick and complete return to the international sports arena? Viktor Lukashenko, President of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Belarus, sat down with BelTA for an interview.
Viktor Aleksandrovich, do you think we can expect a real progress in the return of Belarusians to the international sports arena after 24 June, with Kirsty Coventry officially taking office?
Relations between the NOC of Belarus and the IOC have improved significantly over the past year. Gradual positive changes are constantly taking place. Our leading athletes are already participating in world and European championships, World Cups, and other international tournaments in many summer sports. A recent example is the decisive step taken by the International Judo Federation, which allowed Belarusians to compete using the national flag and anthem. Our athletes are also returning to competition in a number of team sports, like fencing, synchronized diving, and synchronized swimming. In wrestling, taekwondo, swimming, modern pentathlon, weightlifting, and table tennis, Belarusian athletes compete in all international tournaments without any additional conditions or criteria, but still under neutral status. I would also like to note that following a long break, the Belarus’ NOC team will be represented by 48 young athletes in seven sports at the 2025 European Summer Youth Festival in North Macedonia. A total delegation of 70 people will compete in the Belarus’ NOC uniform.
All these examples are the result of the joint hard and thorough work of the NOC of Belarus, sports federations, and colleagues from the IOC and international organizations, which are bringing about gradual progress.
As for the meeting with new IOC President Kirsten Coventry, we are continuing our working contacts with the IOC and hope to meet with her in the near future to discuss our steps and develop a strategy for further cooperation on the issue of the full return of Belarusian athletes to the international sports arena.
During the 2024 Summer Olympics, representatives of the Belarusian NOC stayed in contact with the leadership of the International Olympic Committee and colleagues from other countries. How do they communicate with Belarusians in the current very difficult circumstances? What did they discuss “off-the-record”, so to speak?
Following the Paris Olympics, it was repeatedly confirmed that communication with representatives of Belarus was not just normal, but friendly. During the recent visit of our Secretary General Ksenia Sankovich to Doha, Qatar as part of the World Table Tennis Championships, a meeting took place with President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach and IOC Sports Director Kit McConnell. The IOC's attitude towards Belarusians is friendly and positive. Representatives of our organizations are in constant contact, and solutions are found to any issues that arise. Not everything is as quick, smooth, and easy as we would like, but there is understanding and a desire to move forward in a constructive direction. At the same time, we still lack such understanding and dialogue with some international federations, whose approach cannot be called adequate. The International Association of Athletics Federations (World Athletics) can be cited as an example here...
As I have already said, we are satisfied with the communication and cooperation level with the IOC at present, and we hope that this will translate into real results. We are grateful for the financial support provided through Olympic Solidarity. At the same time, we would like to draw attention to some difficulties, such as the ban imposed by the governments of some countries on Belarusian athletes participating in competitions on their territory, and problems with obtaining visas. This issue and many other matters were raised at the recent meeting with the IOC president.
In February 2026, Milan/Cortina will host the 25th Winter Olympics. What did our NOC representatives managed to see during their visit? How are the preparations for the games proceeding?
The organizers are certainly trying their best. There is still a lot of work to be done, but Italy’s experience allows them to look forward to the upcoming events with optimism. According to the IOC leadership, the organization is interested in Belarusian athletes participating in the 2026 Winter Olympics. But here, they are leaving a lot up to international federations, relying on their decisions, although they could exert more influence to ensure results are achieved more quickly.
In which sports will our athletes be able to compete for 2026 Olympic berths?
We are extremely concerned about the participation of Belarusian athletes in the 2026 Winter Olympics. This is our top priority right now, and we are putting all our efforts into it, doing everything possible to address the matter. In winter sports, only representatives of figure skating, short track, and speed skating have been allowed to take part in qualifying tournaments so far. Unfortunately, the leaders of the speed skating team did not make it onto the list published by the International Skating Union in May. We strongly disagree with this decision, are continuing our work and dialogue with international sports organizations, and do our best to defend every athlete who has been unfairly suspended and whose interests have been infringed upon. We are currently preparing all the relevant documents.
As for other sports, the issue remains open for now. It is quite tricky, considering how many people from Scandinavian countries are in charge of international sports federations. We hope things will get better. Our athletes keep training and are getting ready, and we will do everything we can to support them and are ready to work on a tight schedule.
Belarusian athletes are gradually returning to major tournaments, but so far not all international federations are taking steps to accommodate them. Fortunately, in the current situation, the Belarusians have been greatly helped by their Russian colleagues, who find themselves in an even more difficult position. In recent years, cooperation between athletes and sports organizations in Belarus and Russia has strengthened significantly. Last winter, for the first time, competitions were held for the best athletes in biathlon, speed skating... What can we expect for the summer season in this regard?
For Belarusian athletes, joint tournaments with the best Russian athletes are, of course, beneficial. In recent years, we have had a stable, well-developed calendar. Despite sanctions and restrictions, sport in our countries keeps developing. Just to compare: 1,575 joint competitions in 48 sports were held between 2022 and 2025, and most of these events took place with the participation of athletes from friendly countries.
As in winter sports, a large-scale international series of sporting events, the Best Athletes Cup, is held in summer disciplines. Winter competitions have already been held in biathlon, speed skating, and figure skating. Summer tournaments in 15 sports are planned for this year. In May, in Sochi, our trampoline athletes proved their skills sweeping the podium in the men's event. Tournaments are expected to take place in rowing, canoeing and kayaking, weightlifting, cycling, modern pentathlon, artistic and rhythmic gymnastics, wrestling, beach soccer, and other sports. These tournaments are often on par with competitions held under the auspices of international and European federations.
Cooperation between our countries in the sports sector is not limited to competitions only. National sports federations and the athletes' commissions of the NOC of Belarus and the ROC are in close contact with regard to organizing and holding a wide variety of events. These include joint training camps, clinics for young athletes, scientific and practical conferences, educational seminars, and many more. We are grateful to our colleagues from Russia for the opportunity to cooperate so closely.
The NOC of Belarus is the organizer of the sports and cultural festival Vytoki, which has been held in many regions of our country since 2021. Will it be just as impressive in 2025?
The National Olympic Committee, together with its partners, is preparing a real celebration of sport and Belarusian culture in Postavy, Vitebsk Oblast next week. Returning to cooperation with our colleagues from Russia, I would like to note that on 6 June this beautiful city will host clinics featuring outstanding athletes from both countries, as well as a joint meeting of the Belarusian NOC and ROC athletes' commissions.
The three-day festival program will be action-packed. It will introduce participants to the history, cuisine, and tourist potential of the region. Young participants will be invited to take part in a variety of sports events. The Olympic quest will offer interesting tasks and nice gifts. To get them, one will have to work hard, just like in real tournaments. During the quest, participants need to collect 18 gold, silver, or bronze stamps. The largest number of stamps of one color corresponds to a particular prize: a smartwatch (gold), a Bluetooth speaker (silver), or a power bank (bronze). Families and friends are also invited to take part in the Olympic quiz and sports history quest.
In Search of Stars: Talent in Every Child!, a joint project of the National Scientific and Practical Center for Sports and the National Olympic Committee of Belarus, will be a new interesting location. Using special equipment, children will be able to undergo comprehensive diagnostic testing (in biomechanics, physiology, psychology, and more) in order to find out any particular disposition for sports.
A rich cultural part of the festival will include the interactive art project stART, an open-air movie screening, a musical performance by the Youth Theater, the Rodnaye-Modnaye project, and a concert featuring famous Belarusian singers. The festival will be wrapped up with a spectacular display of fireworks.
Everyone is welcome to come and bring their families and friends to Postavy on 5, 6, and 7 June. We will be really happy to ensure everyone gets a good mood, a boost of sports energy, and vivacity for the whole summer.
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