Opinions & Interviews

Lukashenko about renowned figure skaters: They are the bravest people

MINSK, 27 January (BelTA) – The ISU European Figure Skating Championships in Minsk was a wonderful event not only for Belarusian people but also for the entire world, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said during the Gala Exhibition at Minsk Arena on 27 January, BelTA informs.

The head of state took to the ice after the performances of famous figure skaters and winners of the tournament when all of them gathered together to say goodbye to the audience.

“When I took to the ice of Minsk Arena I first of all thought about courage. I have been skating for my entire life, but when skating this way, unprotected, I felt kind of fear and I thought about them jumping, spinning, drawing figures on the ice half-naked. Ice hockey players are not the bravest people, figure skaters are!” Alexander Lukashenko said.

The president remarked that the figure skating championships became a wonderful event for Belarusian people, Europe and the whole world. The head of state also praised the professionalism of judges.

“It is for the first time that I praise people who judge such subjective sports. Regardless of the reforms, figure skating remains one the most subjective sports,” he said. “Thank you to the judges for adequate scores. Everybody can make a mistake, give or take 0.5 point, 0.1 point. It happens. But you did not kill the internal nerve of this competition. We saw the emotions, failures, triumphs of great champions who dedicated their lives to this sport. It is worth a lot!”

Alexander Lukashenko also thanked coaches and other specialists in figure skating. “There would be no such beauty without them. Create beautiful things and come to Belarus! Get down to work, we also want to perform at this level,” the president concluded.

The head of state talked to the athletes and made a couple of photos with them. He also presented sweets to the participants of the gala.

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