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Lukashenko to discuss Belarus’ performance at Beijing 2022

MINSK, 24 March (BelTA) –  Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko will host a meeting to discuss Belarus’ performance at the 2022 Winter Olympics and prospects of winter sports in Belarus, BelTA informs.

This conversation with officials and sports functionaries was announced by the head of state on 26 February at the national biathlon and cross-country skiing competitions for the prizes of the president of Belarus. Back then the president gave his take on the outcomes of the recent Winter Olympic Games.

Aleksandr Lukashenko said then: “What do we need in order to win medals? We have everything, an excellent infrastructure for winter sports, including schools. In other words, we have everything. And there are also sensible athletes who can work with little kids, and there are gray-haired coaches. But there is no accountability for spending the money the state allocates.”

“I am sorry but athletes and coaches are out of line a bit. No one in Norway or even Russia would retain their jobs after this [unsuccessful performance during the Olympic Games]. Even in rich Norway that has plenty of money thanks to oil. The same is true about Russia. Let alone America: if you fail the first competition, the coach gets the sack. If the athlete fails to perform during the next competition, his or her career will end,” the head of state stressed. “But in Belarus they can take it easy. Why? Because nobody pays for failures the way they would pay abroad.”

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