MINSK, 3 October (BelTA) – A farewell ceremony for the Belarusian delegation to the 3rd Youth Olympic Games took place in the National Olympic Committee of Belarus on 3 October, BelTA learned from the press service of the Sport and Tourism Ministry.
First Vice President of the National Olympic Committee Andrei Astashevich read out the greetings of Belarusian Head of State and President of the National Olympic Committee Alexander Lukashenko. “Remember that it is a great honor to defend the sporting glory of Belarus. I am convinced that you will confirm a high level of the national athlete training system and show your best at the Youth Olympic Games in Argentina,” the greetings say. The president of the National Olympic Committee expressed the hope that the upcoming Games would open the door to high-profile sports for young Belarusian athletes and will be a great start to their careers.
Alexander Baraulya, Belarus' Deputy Sport and Tourism Minister, wished the team good luck and every success. “We sincerely hope that persistence, dedication, willpower, and hard work will help you win,” said the deputy minister.
The Belarusian team comprises 37 athletes and 18 coaches. Belarusian athletes will compete for medals in 16 sports (acrobatic gymnastics, wrestling, artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, canoeing, rowing, judo, athletics, modern pentathlon, archery, shooting, tennis, table tennis, sailing, swimming, trampolining). Many of those who have left for Buenos Aires have already graced the podium at big international competitions. Among them are Anastasia Shkurdai (swimming), Anna Kamenshchikova (rhythmic gymnastics), Ivan Litvinovich (trampolining), Aleksei Aleksandrovich and Anna Zubkova (athletics), Kseniya Dzibuk and Natalia Varakina (wrestling), Ivan Brynza (rowing), Artyom Kolosov (judo), Ekaterina Etina (modern pentathlon), Nadezhda Bogdanova (table tennis).
Buenos Aires will host the 3rd Summer Youth Olympic Games on 6-18 October. The first competition day for Belarusians will be 7 October. This day will include sailing, artistic gymnastics, acrobatic gymnastics, rowing, judo, tennis, table tennis and swimming events.
Photo courtesy of Belarus' Sport and Tourism Ministry
