Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 18 February (BelTA) – Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko made a few comments about how the Belarusian aerial skier Anton Kunshnir was judged during the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games. In particular, he said that the judges had prevented the top challenger from reaching the finals. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko made the relevant statement after he cast his vote as part of the municipal elections campaign on 18 February, BelTA has learned.

Alexander Lukashenko stressed: “Frankly speaking, as a man, who knows something about these things, I can tell you that they threw the key competitor out of the finals.”

According to the Belarusian head of state, any slipups in aerial skiing cost dearly, particularly during Olympic Games. This is why athletes need strong psychological stability. Anton Kushnir has always demonstrated stable performance, stressed Alexander Lukashenko. “A man of steel concrete, he never makes any mistakes. They understood that it was not just another rival for the finals, it was a champion once again,” said the president.

Alexander Lukashenko reminded that judges from Russia, China, and Switzerland had been on the panel of judges. “They managed to secure spots in the finals for their athletes,” believes Alexander Lukashenko. “They tried to throw out [Anton Kushnir] in the first qualification attempt. In the second attempt they could not but make him number seven because six athletes had gone through.”

“If they had been smart, they would have let him reach the finals at least. But they understood that if he reached the finals, everyone else would be screwed. The Belarusian team would have won two gold medals once again just like during the previous Olympics,” said the president.

The head of state also pointed out that in any kind of sport leaders of the season are not supposed to drop out as early as the qualification stage because their performances draw crowds. “This consideration was not taken into account although his name was already well-established. He did two jumps excellently,” stressed Alexander Lukashenko.

“Talking about the judges. I can understand the Swiss judges. I don’t understand very well our Chinese friends. And I refuse to understand our elder Russian brothers at all. The place for [the Russian aerial skier Ilya] Burov was secured. Why did they have to get a place for another Russian at the expense of a Belarusian? Why? That’s the moral attitude of the judges for you. It was a total mess. I have no other words to explain it,” stated the head of state.

Alexander Lukashenko told Anton Kushnir to cheer up because he will still see a great number of competitions in his life. Alexander Lukashenko also said he hopes that the Belarusian aerial skier Stanislav Gladchenko, who had managed to reach the finals, will be able to successfully perform.