Press releases

MINSK, 13 September (BelTA) – More than 400 foreign athletes from 36 countries took part in the Minsk Polo Marathon, BelTA learnt from Chairman of the Belarusian Athletics Federation Vadim Devyatovsky.

A total of 16,099 athletes took part in the 5km, 10km and 21.1km races. The Belarusian Athletics Federation prepared 19,000 medals to award each participant of the event.

The Minsk Polo Marathon was highly praised by President of the European Athletics Federation Svein Arne Hansen. “I have never seen a maiden semi-marathon to be so successful. Belarus has done it really great. As the President of the European Athletics Federation, I am proud of you. The organization of such large-scale competitions with the participation of children is useful for the nation. Of course professional athletes gave an example to other participants of the marathon,” said Svein Arne Hansen.

In his words, once the athletics stadium is commissioned in Minsk, Belarus will have more chances to host big international sport events. According to Svein Arne Hansen, Belarus has every chance to host the 2016 European Athletics Championships.

The President of the European Athletics Federation also visited the Legend Race – Biathlon Stars for Peace festival in Raubichi on 12 September.