Belarusian Paralympians honored at Sport and Tourism Ministry

MINSK, 25 August (BelTA) – Paralympic athletes from Belarus performed well at We are Together. Sports games in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia. Today they deservedly receive their well-deserved congratulations and awards, said Belarusian Sports and Tourism Minister Sergei Kovalchuk when presenting Belarusian medalists on Aug. 25, BelTA learned.

Last winter, the Belarusian team was preparing to take part in the 13th Winter Paralympics in Beijing, but just a few hours before the Games opened, Belarusians and Russians were banned from participating in the Olympic competitions. “It was an unprecedented decision. It is totally against the Olympic charter and just plain common sense. Athletes with disabilities have been preparing for four years, and suddenly at the start of the Games they are suspended and deprived of their dreams,” the minister said. After this absurd decision, Russia immediately organized “We are Together. Sport” games in Khanty-Mansiysk, where Paralympians from several countries could demonstrate their skills.

The Winter Games We are together. Athletes from Belarus, Russia, Armenia, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan took part in the sport. Competitions were held in six sports: cross-country skiing, biathlon, curling, snowboarding, alpine skiing and sledge hockey. The Belarusian team won 16 medals in biathlon and cross-country skiing: five gold, two silver and nine bronze medals.

The winners and medalists of the games Dzmitry Budzilovich, Yury Holub, Dzmitry Loban, Lidziya Loban, Sviatlana Matoryna, Raman Svirydzenka, Vladimir Chepelin, Valiantsina Shyts and Darya Fedzkovich received monetary certificates from the Ministry of Sports and Tourism. In addition, Darya Fedzkovich, who won four medals in Khanty-Mansiysk, was awarded the title of International Master of Sports of the Republic of Belarus in cross-country skiing. The coaches, doctors and specialists who took part in the training of the Belarusian Paralympic athletes also received monetary certificates.

Two-time champion of We are Together. Sports games Sviatlana Matoryna said that the entire Belarusian team really wants to perform in Beijing and do their best there. However, these plans could not be fulfilled. Fortunately, Khanty-Mansiysk hosted the competitions organized at a high level, where the Belarusian Paralympians had an opportunity to compete with the best athletes from other countries.