The results of Belarusian athletes' participation in the XXIV Winter Olympic Games and the prospects for the development of winter sports in Belarus will be discussed at a meeting with the President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, BELTA reports.
The results of Belarusian athletes' participation in the XXIV Winter Olympic Games and the prospects for the development of winter sports in Belarus will be discussed at a meeting with the President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, BELTA reports.
The head of state announced this conversation with officials and sports figures on February 26, when he visited the republican competitions among boys and youth in biathlon and cross-country skiing for the prizes of the President of Belarus. At the same time, he commented on the results of the recently concluded Winter Olympic Games.
"The Winter Olympics have just ended. And this Olympics, frankly, brought little joy to the Belarusian people. We did a lot to ensure that our athletes performed with dignity at the competitions in Beijing. And when we asked the athletes what was missing, everything was available. As a result, we have what we have. In the near future, in a working manner, including based on the results of these competitions, responsible officials, the Ministry of Sport and the government will report to me on how they managed the funds allocated to them. Although not large, it seemed that everything was available. And why we looked so dim. I think there is no worthy competition," the President said.
He believes that Belarus has everything for athletes to win Olympic medals, but there is a lack of responsibility for the spending of allocated funds. "What are we lacking for training and preparation to win medals? Everything is available, an excellent base: winter, schools," noted Alexander Lukashenko. "That is, we have everything. And the athletes are capable, they can work with children, and there are seasoned coaches. But there is no responsibility for the money that the state invests."
"A little bit, excuse me, they got a bit too cocky and arrogant, both the athletes and the coaches. Not a single one would have stayed in Norway or even in Russia after this (unsuccessful performance at the Olympics. - BELTA's note). Even in wealthy Norway, where there is a huge amount of money from oil. The same is true for Russia. Not to mention America: if you failed in the first competition, the coach would be fired. And if you didn't show results in the next competition, the athlete's days would be numbered," the Head of State emphasized.
The President believes that demand is needed in this regard: "I invested in you, I helped you as a state - give us a return. If you don't give it, leave. That is, there must be a system. It seems to exist, as I am informed, but it did not work. And there must be the strictest demand."
Source: belta.by