MINSK, 24 January (BelTA) – Belarusian athletes have been provided with everything they need ahead of the Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, Belarus' Sports and Tourism Minister Alexander Shamko told the media at the National Olympic Committee on 24 January, BelTA has learned.
When asked about the readiness of the Belarusian athletes for the Games, the minister said that the athletes are ready for the competitions. He added, however, that medal prospects should be approached carefully. “The Summer Games in Rio showed that sometimes a lot depends on the things out of our control. We still remember very well the suspension of the Belarusian kayak and canoe team. Our Olympic athletes have demonstrated good results at the recent competitions. There is no need to put additional pressure on them right now. The preparations of our athletes have been fully supported by the Sports and Tourism Ministry, the National Olympic Committee and sports federations,” Alexander Shamko said.
Journalists also asked as to who will bear the flag for the Belarusian team at the opening ceremony in Pyeongchang. Belarus' NOC First President Andrei Astashevich said that the flag bearer will be chosen in Pyeongchang.
Reporters also touched upon the situation with the banned Russian athletes. “Russia is our closest neighbor and we support it. In our opinion, sport should be clean and out of politics,” Andrei Astashevich stressed.
The 23rd Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang will take place on 9-25 February. The opening ceremony is scheduled for 9 February. The games will feature 102 events in 15 sports. Belarus will field 28 athletes in six sports.
