Photo courtesy of the NOC
MINSK, 8 May (BelTA) - Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus hopes that the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) will soon allow athletes to compete under the national flag of Belarus. The Belarusian made the statement at the tournament in Rome to the Italian news agency ANSA, BelTA has learned.
“Representing such a small country as Belarus at the Olympics would be a source of pride for me. It is reaching the highest level. I hope that the WTA will be able to return our flags to us as soon as possible and we will compete with our state symbols rather than as neutral athletes,” Sabalenka emphasized.
“I have always been very proud of the country I come from and I want to be an example for next generations. I want young athletes to know that it does not matter which country you come from - large or small - you can always reach the top if you fight and work day after day,” the world number one noted.
Aryna Sabalenka started her campaign at the Rome tournament with a victory, beating Czech Barbora Krejcikova. In the second round, the Belarusian will face Romania’s Sorana Cirstea.
BelTA reported earlier that, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) lifted its restrictions from Belarusian athletes on 7 May. Now it is up to international sports federations, which also need to decide to lift all restrictions and allow Belarusians to compete with their national symbols.
“Representing such a small country as Belarus at the Olympics would be a source of pride for me. It is reaching the highest level. I hope that the WTA will be able to return our flags to us as soon as possible and we will compete with our state symbols rather than as neutral athletes,” Sabalenka emphasized.
“I have always been very proud of the country I come from and I want to be an example for next generations. I want young athletes to know that it does not matter which country you come from - large or small - you can always reach the top if you fight and work day after day,” the world number one noted.
Aryna Sabalenka started her campaign at the Rome tournament with a victory, beating Czech Barbora Krejcikova. In the second round, the Belarusian will face Romania’s Sorana Cirstea.
BelTA reported earlier that, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) lifted its restrictions from Belarusian athletes on 7 May. Now it is up to international sports federations, which also need to decide to lift all restrictions and allow Belarusians to compete with their national symbols.
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