Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 29 March (BelTA) – Sport accomplishments are the top ideology of the state. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko made the statement as he met with Belarusian Olympic and Paralympic athletes on 29 March, BelTA has learned.

It is the ideology of the Belarusian state, Alexander Lukashenko made it clear. He remarked that the entire nation rejoices when Darya Domracheva or Nadezhda Skardino secure their victories. “We don’t have to tell the nation anything after that. It is our key ideology,” stressed the Belarusian leader.

The meeting focused on various aspects such as the performance of coaches, the availability of sport gear, preparations for international competitions, the recruiting of promising athletes, and food for sport. In essence the meeting was a prologue to a forthcoming major conference on winter sports.

After hearing out various proposals, Alexander Lukashenko remarked that results and practice represent the ultimate measuring stick. He drew attention to the need to secure results through the entire conversation. “There is no other system in the world than the one I suggest. I am ready to invest in you but you have to produce results. If there are no results, people will ask questions of me… And will drop hints. The same applies to your coaches. Let’s consider ice hockey… We used to have only three ice rinks and we were fourth at Olympics. Now 33. But the results are poor. What am I to tell the people?” wondered the head of state.

Alexander Lukashenko stressed that a lot of attention is paid to ice hockey not because the head of state is a fan. “I do it for the country, for the people,” he said.

The construction of the rhythmic gymnastics palace, which was recently opened in Minsk, was mentioned. The facility was built primarily bearing in mind accomplishments and prospects of the Belarusian team.

“Skis and sport gear are easy to come by. It is people that matter. We need coaches and athletes,” stressed the head of state.

Speaking about coaches for various kinds of sport, Alexander Lukashenko remarked that he is in favor of a stable coach roster. “So that they could select the best and improve them. But results are the key thing. We cannot waste people’s money. A coach can either ruin or elevate an athlete. If athletes produce results, then it means the coach does his or her job. If there are no results, there will be no such coach,” said the president.