MINSK, 13 October (BelTA) - The world sport has lost a lot due to the suspension of the Belarusian and Russian athletes, Russian Minister of Sport Oleg Matytsin said at the 2nd International Scientific Congress “Values, Traditions and Innovations in Modern Sport” in Minsk on 13 October, BelTA has learned.
“Belarus and Russia have a great potential for cooperation. The work of our sports federations as one team is an example for many countries. Other countries are also involved in the system of our partnership. This forum in Minsk is another opportunity to strengthen our relations. I would like to thank the NOC of Belarus for the hospitality. We are proud that we have such a reliable partner and we are happy about your successes and about the fact that the Belarusian president pays a lot of attention to sports,” Oleg Matytsin said.
The Minister of Sports of the Russian Federation also voiced the opinion that the world sport lost a lot because of the suspension of the Belarusians and Russians. “The level of hospitality in our countries is very high: states that can hold competitions as competently can be counted on the fingers of one hand. Everyone understands this, including the International Olympic Committee. It is obvious that the financial component without the participation of our athletes is now going down,” the minister said.
Oleg Matytsin expressed hope that Belarusian and Russian athletes would be allowed to compete in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. “I have high hopes that we will be able to take part in the games. Politicization of sport is no longer possible. It causes a crisis of the entire Olympic movement. By the way, many international federations have already allowed our athletes to participate in their competitions,” the minister said.
