On July 10, Minsk / Vladimir Matveev - BELTA /. Sports victories at the Olympic Games demonstrate the success of the state's development. This was stated today by President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, speaking at a ceremony to see off Belarusian athletes to the XXX Summer Olympic Games in London, as reported by a BELTA correspondent. "An athlete's triumph transforms the country in the eyes of the world community, shaping its positive image. This is a demonstration of the success of the state's development itself," the President said. As the head of state emphasized, it is not just about personal sports results, although that is also very important. "In London, you will be fighting first and foremost for the prestige of your native country, where it will be measured by places on the podium. After all, sport is the highest level of diplomacy," the Belarusian leader noted. Alexander Lukashenko recalled that four years ago in Beijing, although Belarusian athletes did not fulfill their promises, they demonstrated a high level of skill, winning two dozen medals. This allowed Belarus to enter the top twenty leading sports powers in the world. "But ahead of you is a new, and very strict, exam. I am sure that those gathered in this hall perfectly understand the high mission entrusted to them. People for whom the word 'patriotism' is not an empty sound," said the head of state. Addressing the athletes, the President noted that every time they start, not only their relatives, but also all their compatriots, as well as friends and foes, rivals from all corners of the planet, follow them with hope. "At the Olympic meeting, the main tasks for the upcoming Games were determined. I know that fulfilling them will be incredibly difficult. You will have to fight in conditions of fierce competition at the limit of human capabilities. However, I am confident that you will be able to overcome everything with dignity. After all, our team includes some of the strongest athletes of our time," the President emphasized. "These are Ekaterina Karsten, for whom the London Olympics will be the fifth in her sports career, Victoria Azarenka, Olympic champions Roman Petrushenko and Vadim Makhnev, Olympic medalists Ivan Tikhon, Nadzeya Ostapchuk, Anastasia Novikova, and many others. Many members of our sports delegation have experience competing in the main Games of the four-year period." Alexander Lukashenko separately noted that for the first time in modern history, the Belarusian youth football team, the only one from the former USSR countries, has won the right to participate in the Olympic tournament after a fierce struggle.