Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 24 January (BelTA) – The recent results achieved by Belarusian athletes inspire optimism ahead of the 2018 Olympic Games, chief of the Belarusian mission to the Winter Games in Pyeongchang Alexander Baraulya told a press conference on 24 January, BelTA has learned.

“The athletes have now approached the final stage in their preparation for the games. A lot has been done, including with the support of Head of the National Olympic Committee Alexander Lukashenko and the Belarusian government. Belarus will field athletes in six sports in Pyeongchang. Belarus has earned a total of 28 Olympic berths. The results of the Belarusian athletes at the latest World Cup competitions inspire optimism ahead of the Olympics,” said Alexander Baraulya.

The Belarusian squad for the 23^rd Winter Olympic Games will include Darya Domracheva, Nadezhda Skardino, Irina Krivko, Nadezhda Pisareva, Dinara Alimbekova, Vladimir Chepelin, Sergei Bocharnikov, Maksim Vorobei, Roman Yeletnov, Anton Smolsky (biathlon); Anton Kushnir, Stanislav Gladchenko, Maksim Gustik, Alla Tsuper, Anna Guskova, Aleksandra Romanovskaya (aerial skiing), Sergei Dolidovich, Alexander Voronov, Yuri Astapenko, Mikhail Semenov, Yulia Tikhonova, Polina Seronosova, Anastasia Kirillova (cross country); Maria Shkanova and Yuri Danilochkin (Alpine skiing); Marina Zuyeva and Ignat Golovatyuk (speed skating); Maksim Sergeyev (short track).

NOC First Vice President Andrei Astashevich stressed that the athletes have trained hard and scrupulously over the past four years. “I am confident that Belarus is sending its best athletes who will represent Belarus at a high level,” he said.

Belarus’ 2018 Olympics uniforms were presented during the press conference. The collection of uniforms designed by Audimas Company reflects the past heritage and historical traditions. The kit is a mixture of red, black and white colors, with patterns of the national flag.

The 23^rd Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang will take place on 9-25 February. The games will feature 102 events in 15 sports. Belarus places its medal hopes on biathlon and aerial skiing.

At the 2014 Sochi Olympics, Belarus won five gold medals: biathlete Darya Domracheva (three), aerialists Anton Kushnir and Alla Tsuper, and also one bronze medal by biathlete Nadezhda Skardino.