MINSK, 26 May (BelTA) – Our athletes have always performed under our state flag and will continue to do so, well-known public figure, Paralympian, world and European record holder in swimming Alexei Talai told BelTA.
“We, athletes, have competed for medals to see the national flag hoisted, to hear the national anthem played. If they ban us from competitions, we will set up alternative games and tournaments,” said Alexei Talai.
According to him, the incident with the Belarusian national flag in Latvia is incomprehensible. “It is very sad to see a once friendly nation translating such aggression to the world. This is unacceptable. We will definitely prevail, just as our grandfathers and great grandfathers once did. This crisis will one day come to an end. I call on our partners to stay reasonable. It is very important to think straight. This world is multi-faceted, and there are enough nations who have a sense of dignity and pride, those who will stand by us. Believe me, it will be so,” the athlete said.
He also noted that Western countries are constantly trying to lecture Belarus, accusing it of all things imaginable. “They'd better take a look at their own history. It is unthinkable when these countries are trying to teach us how to live,” said Alexei Talai.
The Paralympian said that the people of Belarus remember the feat of the front-line soldiers during the Great Patriotic War. “I urge all our foreign partners to come back to their senses. You will not succeed here. Your efforts, on the contrary, rally us together, make us wiser. Today we are reviewing our legislation. I, as a member of the Constitutional Commission, will defend the measures to strengthen the sovereignty and to shield the country against coup d'etat attempts in the country,” he said.
