MINSK, 28 April (BelTA) - Joint steps of the Belarusian and Russian Olympic Committees will surely help athletes from both countries to maintain their high level, President of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Belarus Viktor Lukashenko said at the NOC headquarters in Minsk on 28 April, BelTA has learned.
According to the head of the NOC, the current times of crisis give way to additional opportunities for the development and deepening of bilateral ties.
Stanislav Pozdnyakov, President of the Russian Olympic Committee, said that Belarusian and Russian athletes have always been true partners, and now their ties will become even stronger. The joint meeting of the Athletes Commissions of the Belarusian and Russian Olympic committees and joint master classes held on 27 April testify to the fact. On 28 April Russian representatives are taking part in the National Athletes Forum in Minsk. Cooperation plans will also be discussed during the event.
Viktor Lukashenko stressed that Belarusian athletes had participated in Russian competitions before. Belarusians have recently taken part in the Russian Volleyball Championship, biathlon competitions and Paralympic events. A few days ago a decision was taken to set up a joint handball league. The ties look to get stronger, and in the future Belarusian and Russian athletes will continue their close cooperation.
Stanislav Pozdnyakov said that interaction is not only about high-performance sports. It is important to establish a quality training of young athletes to make them competitive. He also emphasized that the current situation with the suspension of the athletes from international tournaments is temporary. In the future the Belarusian and Russian athletes will return to the world stage and it is necessary for them to show high results without losing their best qualities.
