MINSK, 5 August (BelTA) – Belarusian rowers returned home on Sunday after competing at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, BelTA has learned.
Yauheni Zalaty and Tatsiana Klimovich performed at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium. Tatsiana Klimovich set a new personal record to finish 8th in the women’s single sculls. Yauheni Zalaty won a silver medal in the men’s single sculls bringing Belarus its first medal in the men’s rowing.
The Paris Olympics hero was greeted at the airport by friends, representatives of the NOC of Belarus and the Sport and Tourism Ministry, as well as employees of the National Olympic Rowing Training Center.
“I wouldn't call Yauheni’s result a surprise, especially after a great performance in the semifinal where he demonstrated his skill and determination. In the final, his sixth place at the 1,500-meter point kept me uneasy for a while, but the final second position was quite expected,” Deputy Sport Minister Aleksandr Baraulya said. “I am very happy for Yauheni and the Belarusian rowing team. The last time we had Olympic medals in this sport was in 2008. Men became medalists in rowing in the 1980s. This success is the fruit of labor of many people, who put their heart and soul into it.”
“The silver medal in men's single sculls is a great result. This is the most prestigious class in rowing, where an athlete shows both physical and mental fitness. Yauheni was all style and confidence, and we are very proud of him,” Yuliya Bichik, a two-time Olympic bronze medalist and head coach of the national team said. “Before the final, I was sure that he would compete for a medal, but when I saw him going sixth 500m before the finish, I was a little disappointed. He accelerated a lot on the last stretch, but it was not visible to me for a long time. When I saw his result I got filled with the same emotions I experienced 16 years ago when I took a medal myself. Simply unbelievable.”
Follow us on:
