Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 21 October (BelTA) – The EOC needs to develop a program of additional education for retired athletes, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said as he spoke at the 45^th General Assembly of the European Olympic Committees (EOC) in Minsk on 21 October, BelTA has learned.

“We, in Belarus, are concerned with the future of our retired sportsmen. The career is relatively short in sport. Today you are a champion. The newspapers that praised your name yesterday will switch to other well-performing athletes tomorrow. It is important to create conditions for athletes and help them stay afloat after their retirement. I would like to reiterate that they are very talented people and everything possible should be done to keep them in the sport industry. They should be provided with an opportunity to become coaches, managers, sports specialists,” Alexander Lukashenko noted.

“We suggest that the EOC work out a corresponding pilot program for retiring European athletes to have an opportunity to receive additional education,” said the head of state.

The President suggested developing a system of grants so that retired athletes could start a business, could engage in the activities useful for themselves and society. Especially it is important for children’s sports schools and clubs. “We have already been doing this in Belarus and suggest implementing such approaches on the European level. It will be a good example for the whole world. The children’s and youth sport is the basis of the elite sport. The main thing is to promote a healthy lifestyle and build a healthy nation,” the Belarusian leader said.