Belarus at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo

Belarus took part in the 32rd Summer Olympic Games, which were postponed for a year due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic and took place in Tokyo on 23 July-8 August 2021. The games featured 339 medal events in 33 sports.

In 2021, Japan welcomed its fourth Olympic Games. The country already hosted the Summer Games in 1964 (Tokyo), and the Winter Games twice, in 1972 (Sapporo) and in 1998 (Nagano). More than half a century ago, in 1964, the capital hosted its first Summer Games, which became a real technological breakthrough in terms of organization and conduct of the event. Among the achievements, for example, were a massive satellite TV broadcast, thanks to which people in many countries of the world saw the event live for the first time.

A total of 11,656 of the world's top athletes competed in the upcoming games in Tokyo. The Olympic marathon and race walking events during Tokyo 2020 were moved to Japan’s northernmost island of Hokkaido from the capital due to worries about heat.

Officially, Japan was announced as host of the 2020 Games at the 125th IOC session in Buenos Aires in September 2013. Tokyo beat the bids of Spanish Madrid and Turkish Istanbul.

Following the consultations in July 2021 the organizers and the IOC announced that the Tokyo Olympics will be held without foreign and local spectators due to the situation with coronavirus. Only 950 VIP guests were admitted to the opening ceremony. Among them were the heads of 15 countries and international organizations.

For the first time in 127 years since the Olympic Games were revived, their motto was changed for: "Faster, higher, stronger – together".

The logo of the 2020 Olympics is a ring in traditional Japanese indigo and white, resembling an ancient checkered pattern of the Edo era. It symbolizes the diversity of countries and cultures united by sport. The Paralympics 2020 also has a harmonious checkered emblem. The logos have been designed by Asao Tokolo.

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games mascots were fun anime robots styled with the indigo blue Ichimatsu pattern from the Tokyo 2020 Games emblem.

Miraitowa, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games mascot, is named after the Japanese words mirai (future) and towa (eternity) combined. According to the Tokyo 2020 organizers, the name "was chosen to promote a future full of eternal hope in the hearts of people all over the world.

Someity, Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games mascot, is named after someiyoshino, a type of cherry blossom, and echoes the English phrase "so mighty". It represents Paralympic athletes who overcome obstacles and redefine the boundaries of what is possible.

The Tokyo 2020 program featured new sports: karate, surfing, skateboarding, sport climbing (all making their debut in the Olympics), and baseball/softball (returning to the Olympic stage after a 12-year hiatus). Green light was also given to 16 new events:

• rowing – women’s lightweight four;
• basketball – 3х3 (men, women);
• cycling – madison (men, women); BMX (men, women);
• judo – mixed team event;
• track and field – 4х400 mixed event;
• table tennis – mixed doubles;
• swimming – 800m freestyle (men), 1500m freestyle (women), 4х100 mixed medley;
• archery – mixed team event;
• triathlon – mixed team relay;
• fencing – women’s team foil, men’s team saber.

The Olympics 2020 was the most eco-friendly event. The Athletes Village and competition venues were powered by solar panels and wind turbines. Japan also used robot assistants such as, for example, translators and carriers.

The Tokyo 2020 medals (a total of 5,000) have been partially made of recycled electronic devices. Japan recycled nearly 79,000 of electronics, including 6.21 million cellphones. 

Team Belarus at the 2020 Summer Olympics

The NOC of Belarus named the final roster for the Tokyo Olympic Games on 9 July 2021. Team Belarus included 107 athletes in 20 sports, including celebrated athletes: winners and runners-up of world and European championships, champions of the Olympic Games and the European Games and also up-and-coming athletes.

Team Belarus at the Games of the XXXII Olympiad includes:

Rowing: Alena Furman, Ina Nikulina, Tatsiana Klimovich, Siarhei Valadzko, Dzmitry Furman

Boxing: Dzmitry Asanau, Aliaksandr Radionau, Vitali Bandarenka, Uladzislau Smiahlikau

Wrestling: freestyle – Ali Shabanau, Aliaksandr Hurshtyn, Dzianis Khramiankou, Mahamedkhabib Kadzimahamedau; Greco-Roman – Kiryl Maskevich; women’s – Vanessa Kaladzinskay, Irina Kurachkina, Vasilisa Marzaliuk

Cycling: Tatsiana Sharakova, Alena Amialiusik, Aleksandr Riabushenko, Yauheni Karaliok

Sprint canoe: Belarus has a strong team in this sport. After a series of international events, Belarus chose 12 athletes to represent the country at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Leaders of the team were winners of many prizes of international tournaments and ten medals of the 2nd European Games Minsk 2019: Volha Khudzenka, Maryna Litvinchuk, Alena Nazdrova, Nadzeya Makarchanka, Aleh Yurenia… The team also included Mikita Borykau, Dzmitry Natynchyk, Ilya Fedarenka, Uladzislau Litvinau, Nadzeya Papok, Marharyta Makhneva, Daryna Pikuleva

Judo: Dzmitry Minkou, Mikita Sviryd, Maryna Slutskaya

Equestrian: Alexander Zelenko, Aliaksandr Faminou

Athletics: Volha Mazuronak, Nina Savina, Aliona Dubitskaya, Dzmitry Dziubin, Karyna Demidik, Elvira Herman, Tatsiana Khaladovich, Hanna Malyshik, Darya Barysevich, Hleb Dudarau, Viktoryia Rashchupkina, Iryna Zhuk, Maksim Nedasekau, Anna Terlyukevich, Anastasia Maslova, Aliaksei Katkavets, Evgeny Bogutsky, Viyaleta Skvartsova, Pavel Mialeshka, Ivan Tsikhan, Yuri Vasilchenko, Mariya Zhodik, Vitali Parakhonka, Nastassia Mironchyk-Ivanova, Vitaliy Zhuk, Aleksandr Lyakhovich, Anastasiya Rarovskaya, Aleksandra Khilmanovich, Yuliya Bliznets, Kristina Mulyarchik, Hanna Mikhailava, Asteria Uzo Limai, Dzmitry Nabokau

Sailing: Tatiana Drozdovskaya, Mikita Tsirkun

Swimming: Anastasia Shkurdai, Ilya Shimanovich, Aksana Dziamidava, Mikita Tsmyh, Alina Zmushka, Yauhen Tserkin, Artem Machekin, Anastasiya Kuliashova, Nastassia Karakouskaya

Trampolining: Uladzislau Hancharou, Ivan Litvinovich

Modern pentathlon: Volha Silkina, Anastasiya Prokopenko, Ilya Palazkov

Artistic Gymnastics: Anna Travkova

Archery: Karyna Kazlouskaya, Karyna Dziominskaya, Hanna Marusava

Shooting: Maria Martynova, Yuri Shcherbatsevich, Viktoria Chaika

Synchronized swimming: Daria Kulagina, Vasilina Khandoshka

Tennis: Aryna Sabalenka, Egor Gerasimov, Ilya Ivashka

Weightlifting: Darya Naumava, Yauheni Tsikhantsou

Rhythmic gymnastics: Anastasiia Salos, Alina Harnasko, team: Arina Tsitsilina, Anastasiya Rybakova, Karyna Yarmolenka, Hanna Haidukevich, Anastasiya Malakanava

Two-time Olympic medalist in hammer throw Ivan Tsikhan was named Team Belarus captain.

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Team Belarus promise to do their best at Tokyo Olympic Games

Belarus announces roster for Olympic Games in Tokyo

Belarus’ medal count at Tokyo 2020

Gold

• Ivan Litvinovich (Men’s Trampoline) PHOTO

Silver

• Iryna Kurachkina (Women’s Freestyle Wrestling 57kg)
• Mahamedkhabib Kadzimahamedau (Men’s Freestyle Wrestling 74kg)
• Volha Khudzenka, Maryna Litvinchuk, Marharyta Makhneva, Nadzeya Papok (K4 Women 500m)

Bronze

• Maksim Nedasekau (Men’s High Jump) PHOTO
• Vanesa Kaladzinskaya (Women’s Freestyle Wrestling 53kg)
• Alina Harnasko (Individual All-Around, Rhythmic Gymnastics)

Team Belarus ranked 45th with seven medals in the unofficial medal count of the 2020 Tokyo Games. Belarus won nine medals at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Belarusian athletes won 14 medals at the 2008 Beijing.

Team Belarus in Top 10 at Tokyo 2020

4^th place

• Karyna Kazlouskaya, Hanna Marusava and Karyna Dziominskaya (Women’s Archery Team)
• Uladzislau Hancharou (Men’s Trampoline)

5^th place

• Darya Naumava (Women’s Weightlifting 76kg)
• Volha Mazuronak (Marathon)
• Mikita Borykau, Illia Fedarenka, Uladzislau Litvinau, Dzmitry Natynchyk (K4 Men 500m)
• Anastasiya Malakanava, Anastasiya Rybakova, Hanna Haidukevich, Arina Tsitsilina, Karyna Yarmolenka (Team All-Around, Rhythmic Gymnastics)
• Uladzislau Smiahlikau (under 91kg, boxing)

6^th place

• Volha Khudzenka, Maryna Litvinchuk (K2 500 m)
• Aliaksei Katkavets (Javelin throw)

7^th place

• Mikita Borykau, Aleh Yurenia (Men’s K2 1000m)
• Yuri Shcherbatsevich (Men’s 50m Rifle Three Positions)

8^th place

• Anastasiya Shkurdai ( Women’s 100m Freestyle)
• Ilya Shymanovich (Men’s 100m Breaststroke)
• Irina Zhuk (Women’s Pole Vault)
• Anastasiya Salos (Individual All-Around, Rhythmic Gymnastics)
• Anastasiya Prokopenko (Modern Pentathlon)

9^th place

• Aliona Dubitskaya (Women’s Shot Put)
• Dzmitry Asanau (under 63kg, boxing)
• Aliaksandr Radzionau (under 69kg, boxing)
• Dzianis Khramiankou (under 125kg, freestyle wrestling)
• Vasilisa Marzaliuk (under 76kg, freestyle wrestling)
• Dzmitry Minkou (under 66kg, judo)
• Maryna Slutskaya (over 78kg, judo)

10^th place

• Daryna Pikuleva, Nadzeya Makarchanka (C2 Women 500m)
• Pavel Mialeshka (javelin throw)

The brand of the national Olympic team was TEAM BY. It was unveiled in December 2018 and it was in Tokyo that it was used officially for the first time. The key element of the team logo and one of the most recognizable symbols of Belarus is the stork. The stork was chosen mascot of the Olympic team.

Viber is the official messaging app of the Belarusian Olympic team. The app, which was born and continues developing in Belarusian software development centers, has supported Belarusian athletes. The app is now an asset owned by the Japanese company Rakuten. By the way, the National Olympic Committee of Belarus was the first out of the 206 national Olympic committees that make part of the International Olympic Committee to launch an official community in Viber. A special sticker pack to support Team Belarus was made available in the messaging app in summer 2019.

Belarusian companies Solo-Pinsk and Svitanak designed the Team Belarus outfit for the Tokyo Olympics. Belarus President, President of the National Olympic Committee of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko was made familiar with the basic sets in December 2019.

Belarus at the Tokyo Paralympic Games

From 24 August to 5 September the Japanese capital hosted the 16th Summer Paralympic Games. Belarus was represented by 20 athletes in athletics, swimming, judo, canoe sprint and fencing.

Team Belarus ranked 27th in the unofficial medal standings. Belarus won seven medals: five golds, one silver and one bronze. Swimmer Ihar Boki claimed five gold medals, swimmer Yahor Shchalkanau took silver and javelin thrower Lizaveta Piatrenka won bronze. Ihar Boki set several world records in different disciplines. Lizaveta Piatrenka set a continental record in her best attempt.

These were the seventh Summer Paralympic Games in the history of independent Belarus. All in all, since the 1996 Atlanta Games the Belarusian Paralympians have won 98 medals (36, 32, 30).

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