Structure Milestones Executive Committee

NOC of Belarus

Olympic Movement in the Republic of Belarus

On July 27, 1990 the BSSR Supreme Soviet adopted the Declaration of State Sovereignty of the Belarusian Soviet Socialist Republic. There were established political and economic priorities of the country as well as independent institutions including the ones in the sport sphere were created.

The History of the National Olympic Committee of Belarus

The National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Belarus was established on March 22, 1991.

In accordance with the Olympic Charter the Constituent Assembly was held and the Executive Committee, the Bureau and the Commissions were founded. These institutions formed the basis of the Olympic Committee.

At that time Vladimir Ryzhenkov (1945-1996) was the Chairman of the Physical Culture and Sport Committee of the Byelorussian Republic. He was elected the First President of the National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Belarus.

Soon after he was awarded IOC “Olympic Movement Unity” Trophy for significant contribution to the development of the Olympic Movement.

On March 9, 1992, NOC Belarus received the status of MOC temporary member. In April 1992 Juan Antonio Samaranch, IOC President, visited republics of the former USSR, including the Republic of Belarus, to establish contacts with new Olympic Committees.

At the 101st International Olympic Committee Session held in Monaco on September, 21-24, 1993, NOC Belarus was officially recognized and became a full member of the Olympic Family. Since then the Republic of Belarus has obtained the right to send its national team to the Olympic Games.

Soon after the Belarusian team started preparation for the XVII Winter Olympics held in 1994 in Lillehammer, Norway.

In May 1997 Alexander Lukashenko, President of the Republic of Belarus, was elected the NOC President.

Giving a speech at the Olympic Assembly, President said:
"There are no other examples in the world when the Head of State has been elected the leader of the National Olympic Committee. I want to keep the best achievements made in sport in our Republic for the years of its participation in the international Olympic Movement."

The presidency of Alexander Lukashenko gave great impetus to the national sports life.

Central stadiums and Olympic sports complexes were reconstructed. Range of modern sports facilities were created and President's scholarships were set up.

Ice-hockey, Biathlon, Football, Athletics, Boxing, Rowing, Tennis, Weightlifting and other sports of the Olympic Program receive further development.

Alexander Lukashenko was awarded the IOC special trophies for his significant contribution to promotion of sport and Olympic Movement as NOC President – “The Gate of Olympus” in 2000 and “Sport and Society” in 2006. Sport image of the Head of State gives striking example of healthy life style and strong character. It is his personal credo and a certain part of thoroughly thought over and systematically realized state policy.

Participation of Belarus in the Olympic Games

XVII Olympic Winter Games in 1994 in Lillehammer (Norway) were the first in the history of Belarus in which Belarusian athletes took part as an independent team.

During the Opening Ceremony Evgeni Redkin, Biathlon Olympic Champion, carried the flag of sovereign Republic.

Belarusian team was composed of 33 athletes competing in 7 Olympic disciplines.

Silver Olympic medal - first one in the history of the Republic of Belarus as an independent state - was won by speed skater Igor Zhelezovsky in 1000 m . Biathlete Svetlana Paramygina became silver medal holder in 7,5 km individual race.

As a result, Belarus took the 15th place in the rank by total among 67 countries-participants of the Games.

At the XXVI Olympiad in Atlanta (USA) Belarus was represented by 144 athletes.

Ekaterina Khodotovich (Rowing) became the first Olympic champion in the modern history of Belarus.

Silver medals were won by Natalya Sazanovich in Heptathlon and Vladimir Dubrovshchik in Discus Throw. Ellina Zvereva and Vasiliy Kaptyukh (Discus Throw) became bronze medalists.

Also Belarusian wrestlers performed confidently in Atlanta. Sergey Lishtvan and Aleksandr Pavlov became silver medal winners. Valeriy Tsilent resulted third in Greco-Roman Wrestling. Aleksey Medvedev won a silver medal in Freestyle Wrestling.

Six-time Olympic Champion Vitaly Scherbo became four-time bronze medalist.

Silver medal in Shooting was won by Igor Basinski.

The Belarusian female eight with coxswain composed of Yelena Mikulich,
Marina Znak, Natalya Volchek, Natalia Stasyuk, Tamara Davydenko, Valentina Skrabatun, Natalya Lavrinenko, Yaroslava Pavlovich and Aleksandra Pankina resulted third.

At the Olympiad in Atlanta the Belarusian team won 15 medals including 1 gold, 6 silver and 8 bronze ones, and resulted 37th in the rank by gold among 176 participating countries.

In 1998 at the XVIII Olympic Winter Games in Nagano, Japan, 58 Belarusian athletes competed in nine sports.

2 bronze medals were won by Aleksei Aidarov in Biathlon, 20km individual, and Dmitri Dashinski in Freestyle (Aerials).

National ice-hockey team was a great success and resulted in top eight teams of the world.

The team of the Republic of Belarus took the 20th place among 72 countries participating in the Olympic Games.

At the Games of XXVII Olympiad in Sydney (Australia) Ekaterina Khodotovich (Karsten) achieved significant results again. She won her second Olympic gold medal in Rowing.

Ellina Zvereva became Olympic Champion in Discus Throw.

Yanina Karolchik won the gold medal with the result of 20,56 m in Shot Put.

The Belarusian rhythmic gymnasts performed successfully as well: Tatyana Ananko, Tatyana Belan, Anna Glazkova, Ilyenkova Irina, Maria Lazuk, Olga Puzhevich became silver medalists in team competitions. Yulia Raskina was second in individual all-round.

Shooter Igor Basinski won silver and bronze medals while his team colleagues Sergei Martynov and Lolita Evglevskaya became bronze medalists.

Under the traditions of Belarusian Weightlifting Sergei Lavrenov and Gennady Oleshchuk became bronze medal winners.

Also bronze medals were won by Igor Astapkovich (Hammer Throw), Natalya Sazanovich (Heptathlon) and Irina Yatchenko (Discus Throw).

Pavel Dovgal resulted third in modern Pentathlon.

Anatoly Laryukov in Judo and Dmitry Debelka in Greco-Roman Wrestling became bronze medalists as well.

At the Olympiad in Sydney Belarusian athletes won 17 medals including 3 gold, 3 silver and 11 bronze.

The Belarusian team resulted 23rd among 184 countries-participants of the Games.

The XIX Olympic Winter Games were held in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.
64 Belarusian athletes competed there in 9 sports.

Bronze medal in Freestyle was won by Alexei Grishin.

National ice-hockey team performed successfully and advanced to semifinals. It competed for Olympic medals with the teams from the USA, Canada, Russia and took the 4th place.

As a result the Belarusian team resulted 23rd among 77 participating countries.

In 2004 at the Olympiad in Athens the Belarusian team was represented by 151 athletes competing in 23 sports.

Yuliya Nesterenko created a sensation - in 100 m (Athletics) she passed ahead of other athletes and became Olympic champion with the result of 10,93 seconds.

Ihar Makarau was a success too and won gold medal in Judo, 90 – 100 kg (Half-Heavyweight).

Viktar Zuyev and Magomed Aripgadjiev became silver medal winners.

The Athens Olympiad was fourth for Ekaterina Karsten. Like at the previous editions, she won a medal, silver one at that time. Ivan Tikhon (Hammer Throw) became a silver medalist as well.

In Rowing Yuliya Bichyk and Natallia Helakh became third (pair without coxswain).

In Canoe/Kayak five Belarusian crews advanced to finals. Bronze medals were won by Raman Piatrushenka and Vadzim Makhneu in K- 2 500 m (kayak double).

Weightlifters performed successfully as well. Anna Batsiushko became silver medalist with the world record in Jerk ( 115,0 kg ) while Tatsiana Stukalava resulted third. Andrei Rybakov became silver medal holder.

Bronze medal in Greco-Roman Wrestling (74 – 84 kg ) was won by Viachaslau Makaranka.

Natallia Tsylinskaya in Cycling (track), Sergei Martynov in Shooting and Irina Yatchenko in Discus Throw became bronze medalists as well. 

The team of the Republic of Belarus won 15 medals including 2 gold, 6 silver and 7 bronze. It took the 26th place among 201 countries-participants of the Games.

80 countries took part in the XX Olympic Winter Games in Turin (Italy). Belarus was represented by 28 athletes.

Dmitri Dashinski won a silver medal in Freestyle (aerials). It was his second Olympic medal.

Aleksei Grishin in Freestyle (aerials) and female biathlon team in Relay resulted fourth.

The Belarusian team became 21st in the rank by gold among 80 participating countries.

At the Games of the XXIX Olympiad in Beijing, China, Belarus was represented by 177 athletes competing in 26 sports.

19 medals were won overall: 4 gold, 5 silver and 10 bronze ones.

Belarus took the 16th place in the rank by gold and 13th in the rank by total.

Olympic Champions: Andrei Aryamnov – Weightlifting, Oksana Menkova – Athletics (Hammer Throw), Andrei and Alexander Bogdanovichi - Canoe/Kayak (C-2), Roman Petrushenko, Vadim Makhnev, Alexei Abalmasov, Artur Litvinchuk - Canoe/Kayak (K-4).

Silver medal holders: Andrei Rybakov – Weightlifting, Natalia Mikhnevich – Athletics (Shot Put), Vadim Devyatovsky – Athletics (Hammer Throw), Andrei Kravchenko – Athletics (Decathlon), Inna Zhukova – Rhythmic Gymnastics.

Bronze medalists: Nadezhda Ostapchuk - Athletics (Shot Put), Ivan Tikhon – Athletics (Hammer Throw), Anastasia Novikova – Weightlifting, Andrei Mikhnevich - Athletics (Shot Put), Ekaterina Karsten, Yulia Bichik, Natalia Gelakh – Rowing, Murad Gaidarov – Freestyle Wrestling, Mikhail Semenov – Greco-Roman Wrestling,  Roman Petrushenko, Vadim Makhnev - Canoe/Kayak (K-2), Ksenia Sankovich, Alina Tumilovich, Anastasia Ivankova, Zinaida Lunina, Alesya Babushkina, Glafira Martinovich – Rhythmic Gymnastics.

Belarusian women basketball team showed good result – 6th place.

At the Beijing Olympiad Belarusian athletes set up 2 World, 3 Olympic and 10 national records.
On February 12-28, 2010 Belarusian team took part in the XXI Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver (Canada) 

49 athletes competed for the medals in 6 sports.

 Total 3 medals were claimed.
- gold by  Aleksei Grishin (Freestyle Skiing)
- silver by Sergei Novikov (Biathlon)
- bronze by Darya Domracheva (Biathlon).

On April 9, 2010 new NOC membership was elected.

Since the creation of the NOC Belarusian athletes took part in 9 Olympiads including 5 Winter and 4 Summer Olympic Games.

78 Belarusian athletes became Olympic Champions and Winners. They earned 73 Olympic medals overall: 11 gold, 23 silver and 39 bronze.

PARTICIPATION OF BELARUSIAN ATHLETES IN THE OLYMPIC GAMES  
(Modern History)

Medals were won in the following 16 sports:

 
NOC Belarus activities

The Olympic Games represent the top of the Olympic Movement. But they don’t embrace all the substance of the Movement. Various NOC Belarus activities prove it.

NOC Belarus is an independent public organization whose status and function completely comply with the Olympic Charter and the legislation of the Republic of Belarus in the field of physical culture and sport.

Belarusian NOC unities 75 sport organizations of 38 Olympic (31 – summer and 7- winter) and 27 non-Olympic sports. It informs about changes and additions in standard acts in the sphere of national legislation and international Olympic movement. NOC Belarus provides assistance in development of complex target preparation programs for Belarusian national teams and controls their execution.

NOC provides sport federations with technical and financial assistance for IOC programs. It gives strong support in organization of pre-Olympic preparation for athletes who aspire to join the Olympic delegation and ensures the participation of  athletes in European Youth Olympic Festivals and Olympic Games.

The goal of the Belarusian NOC cooperation with sport social organizations is development of high-level sport, Olympic Movement, successful preparation of Belarusian athletes for Olympics and promotion of healthy, physical and spiritual development of the society.

NOC Structure

The NOC Executive Committee consisting of 12 persons is elected by the Olympic Assembly.

At the last Olympic Assembly there were elected 105 new members.

There are also 14 Honorary Members of the Committee.

International Relations

An important direction of the NOC activities is active work at the international level. The number of measures are taken to promote further development and strengthening relations with international entities of the Olympic Movement and Olympic Committees of other countries.

The Republic of Belarus was visited by distinguished leaders of the International Olympic Movement, among them: IOC Honorary President Juan Antonio Samaranch, IOC President Jacques Rogge, EOC President Patrick Hickey, UEFA President Michel Platini, President of the International Ice-Hockey Federation Rene Fasel, President of the International Handball Federation Dr.Hassan Moustafa, President of the European Hockey Federation Leandro Negre (Spain), President of the European Wrestling Association Tseno Tsenov, Vice-president of the International Sport Shooting Federation Medhat Wahdan, Secretary General for FIBA Europe Nar Zanolin, FIS freestyle coordinator Joseph T.Fitzgerald, FIFA President Joseph Blatter, Presidents of the National Olympic Committees of the countries-members of the Commonwealth of Independent States and the Baltic States and other leading figures in the sphere of sport and Olympic Movement.

Representatives of the Republic of Belarus work in the EOC Commissions and international sports organizations and federations. A lot of cooperation agreements were concluded with a number of the Olympic Committees. Relationships with Organizing Olympic Committees are being constantly developed to ensure the participation of Belarusian athletes in these competitions.

The NOC leaders successfully participate in Assemblies, seminars, commissions concerning legal, economic, sport, methodological and international activities of Olympic organizations. For example, Boris Khrustalev, former Chairman of the NOC Belarus Commission “Sport for All”, former member of the NOC Executive Committee, took part in the IOC Congress “Sport for All” in Cuba.

Organization of courses for highly qualified coaches with participation of foreign experts plays an important role in cooperation with IOC. Courses for coaches in Tennis, Equestrian, Field Hockey, Judo, Swimming were carried out at the IOC’s expense.  

Cooperation with European Olympic Committees was implemented. On the NOC Belarus initiative the Olympic Academy became a member of the European Fair Play Committee.

NOC undertakes certain activities concerning cooperation with the International Olympic Committee. Belarusian NOC published the IOC textbook “Manual on Sport Management”. This manual was distributed among all CIS Olympic Committees for preparation of high-qualified sport managers. According to candidatures submitted by NOC Belarus IOC Olympic Scholarships were allocated to 12 Belarusian athletes.

Under the aegis of ANOC and the Olympic Solidarity seminar of NOC Heads from the CIS and Baltic States was held in Minsk. Representatives of 13 CIS countries and Baltic States took part in it.

Young Athletes

NOC Belarus assists in preparation of young athletes as well. They have an opportunity to try their skills and strength European Youth Olympic Festivals held by the European Olympic Committees under the patronage of the International Olympic Committee.

The National Olympic Committee in cooperation with the Ministry of Sports and Tourism organized, financed and sent the youth team to winter and summer editions of the European Youth Olympic Festivals (EYOF).

The history of the Belarusian teams’ participation in EYOF began in 1993 when athletes from Belarus won 5 medals (2 silver and 3 bronze ones) during Summer Youth Olympic Days (that was the former name of the competitions).

Two years later – in 1995 – the result was improved – 8 medals (2 gold, 1 silver and 5 bronze awards).

In 1997 the Belarusian team won 2 gold and 2 silver medals.

In 1999 our team again won 4 medals including 2 silver and 2 bronze ones.

In 2001 at Winter EYOF in Vuokati (Finland) our young athletes participated in three sports on the following programme: Biathlon, Cross-Country Skiing and Skating. The athletes won 3 medals overall (0–1–2).

In 2001 in Murcia (Spain) 3 gold, 2 silver and 4 bronze medals were won in 5 sports: Athletics (1 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze medals), Swimming (1 gold and 1 bronze), Sailing (1 gold), Basketball (1 silver - girls) and Judo (1 bronze).

Only 19 athletes became prize-winners in Spain.

According to the rank by gold Belarus took the 12th place among 46 countries – participants. Taking into consideration the CIS countries, only Russia and Ukraine were ahead of Belarus.

In 2003 in Paris at the VII Summer European Youth Festival Belarusian athletes won 8 medals (1–0–7), having got gold in pole vault.

In the winter of 2005 in Montey (Switzerland) the Belarusian team was represented in 3 sports: Biathlon, Short-track, Cross-country Skiing and won a bronze medal.

From July 2 till July 9, 2005 in a small Italian town Lignano Sabbiadoro our team won
11 medals – 4 gold, 5 silver, 2 bronze ones - and according to the rank by gold resulted 8th among 48 European countries. 

In Spanish town Jaca at the VIII Winter EYOF two gold medals were won by the young biathlonist Vladimir Alenishko in sprint ( 7,5 km ) and pursuit.

Belarusian national team took the 5th place in the rank by gold among 48 countries. By the way, medals were won by athletes from only 15 countries.

At the festival in Belgrade in 2007 young Olympians from Belarus
won three medals.

Now the total number of our awards for all the history of
our participation in EYOF is as follows: 73 medals (11 gold, 23 silver and 39 bronze ones).

Participation of young athletes in such competitions promotes development of youth sport in the Republic.

NOC Belarus Representative Offices

Following the decision of the Olympic Assembly, NOC Belarus Representative Offices have been created in all regional centres of the country and the city of Minsk since January 26, 1993.

Representative Offices are engaged in development of the Olympic Movement in regions, promotion of healthy life style and physical education among the young generation, development of mass sport, organization of anti-alcoholic, anti-smoking and anti-drugs campaigns, acquisition of sports equipment for boarding houses, setting up rehabilitation centers for athletes and sports schools of Olympic Champions. Activities of this kind are supported by Olympic Champions and medalists, famous athletes and coaches who help to promote sport and the Olympic Movement at local level.

The NOC Belarus Representative Office in Minsk region takes an active part in promotion of Olympic ideals. The campaign “Achieve Your Best” has been holding for many years already in 22 provinces and 6 towns of Minsk region.

In 2009 over 50 000 people took part in the event. Since the launch of this campaign more than 200 events have been held. Over 300 000 people participated in them.

Organization of such competitions as “Golden Puck”, “Leather ball”, “Sportland” and others became the basic activities of NOC Representative Offices. On the initiative of the National Olympic Committee, the NOC Representative Office in Minsk region set up sports schools of Olympic Champions: Valery Shary’s Weightlifting School and Marina Lobach’s Rhythmic Gymnastics School. Schools were opened on September 1, 2004.

Their main objective is preparation of the future sports reserve from talented youth.

The NOC Representative Office in Gomel region considerably expanded its  functions, having constructed for its athletes a dwelling complex “Olympiysky” in Gomel. The complex consists of three 280-apartment dwelling houses. But the main task of the Representative Office is to assist the state and social sport organizations, different sport federations in search, preparation and strengthening sports reserves for national teams of the country.

The activities aimed at promotion of Olympic ideals are undertaken by the press-centers of the National Olympic Committee and its Representative Offices in the regions in collaboration with the NOC Mass Media Commission and the public organization “Belarusian Olympic Academy”.

Particular attention is paid to dissemination and promotion of values of the Olympic Movement, revelation of the essence of Olympism, its humanistic principles, encouragement of young people to study the philosophy of Olympism, involvement of people in healthy life-style.

Particular emphasis is placed on cooperation with television. Broadcasting companies prepare special releases about the NOC activities. All plots are collected for the Museum of Olympic Glory. Journalists participate in the Executive Committee sessions, the Bureau, the Organizing Committee for preparation for Olympic Games, press conferences, celebrations of the Belarusian Olympians, receptions of foreign visitors and delegations.

The NOC’s web site is the winner of three Internet awards. It is also recognized to be one of the best sports web sites of the country.

The Olympic Committee published five books about the Belarusian sport and its achievements: “The Olympic Country Belarus”, “We are Belarusians”, “The National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Belarus”, “The Olympic Atlas”, “Bejiing Olympic Stars”. They are devoted to legendary persons of the Belarusian sport and the Olympic Movement. The books include over 200 articles about Olympians and their coaches, as well as information on the most important stages of development of Belarusian sport and the international Olympic Movement.

The Olympic press-centers in Gomel, Mogilev, Brest regions and the city of Minsk are opened for promotion of sport. Activities are undertaken to create general database of sports public associations (federations, unions, associations). Every three months the NOC Executive Committee publishes NOC Belarus magazine “Olymp”. Promotion of Belarusian sport and the Olympic Movement at the international level is implemented by means of IOC and EOC magazines and web-sites which insert information and photographs about the NOC Belarus activities.

The NOC press-center efficiently cooperates with news agencies of other countries.

NOC Belarus places high emphasis on the development of Olympic education in the Republic. This work has been conducted by the public organization “The Belarusian Olympic Academy” in cooperation with NOC Belarus Commission “Olympic Education and Culture”.

The main activities in this field are as follows:

study, distribution, promotion and further development of humanistic values, principles and ideals of Olympism;

encouragement of cultural, moral and physical perfection of personality;

promotion of physical culture, sport and healthy life-style.

For organization of practical activities the NOC Belarus in cooperation with the Belarusian Olympic Academy held scientific researches that contributed to the working-out of perspectives and approaches of Olympic education development.

Two international scientific congresses “Olympic Sport for All” and “Olympism and Olympic education” were held. Scientists from Russia, Ukraine, Poland, France, China and USA took part in them.

The project “National System of Olympic Education” played an important role in the education development. Its implementation aroused interest of Belarusian young people in the history of the Olympic Movement in Belarus.

Efficient activities are undertaken to publish such manuals as “The Golden Pages of the Olympic Movement of Belarus”, “Olympism and the Olympic Movement”, “Recommendations to Young Olympians” and “Olympic Atlas”. The course of lectures for students “Civilization and Olympism” is included in the curriculum by the Belarusian State University of Physical Culture. The Belarusian Olympic Academy has created a library stock which contains over 300 publications aimed at study of Olympic education.

The Belarusian Olympic Academy speeds up work on development of Olympic education.

The National Olympic Committee is completely financed at the expense of independent sources. The Marketing Program is adopted for NOC effective activities. This program is one of the basic forecasting documents of the NOC’s economic activities and reflects various forms and ways of attraction of off-budget sources of financing.

The program has an organizational character and is the base for drawing up and working out of new projects, plans, contracts. It provides certain basis for active actions connected with attraction of various external and internal sources of material and financial resources used in the NOC activity.

Program structure is formed on the basis of an operational experience, principles and recommendations of the International Olympic Committee, other Olympic organizations and unites in itself ideas, suggestions and projects by NOC members and experts.

The NOC Belarus marketing program is approved for a certain time interval - as a rule, for 3-4 years - and considers the general economic tendencies in the country.

The program purposes are: increase of image of the National Olympic Committee in state and public organizations, in state enterprises and ones of non-state patterns of ownership; maintenance of financial independence during preparation and participation in the Olympic Games, other events staged under the aegis of the International Olympic Committee, the National Olympic Committee; working out of a complex of commercial and other activities directed to financial position improvement of the National Olympic Committee.

The earned financial assets are spent on organization of sports events held under patronage of the International Olympic Committee and NOC Belarus, and the basic means are used for preparation and participation of Belarus athletes in major international competitions, including the Olympic Games.

Dwelling Complexes for Outstanding Athletes

The National Olympic Committee of Belarus is a unique NOC in the world that has constructed the “Olympic Village” without hosting the Olympic Games. The dwelling houses complex “Olympiysky” was constructed in the picturesque place of Minsk not far from Pobeditelei Ave. on the initiative of the President of the Republic of Belarus, NOC Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko.

The President and the best athletes of the country put a memorable capsule with a gold Olympic coin in the base of the first house on October 6, 1998. The first stage of constructon was finished 10 months before the term!

The dwelling complex helped to solve the accommodation problem of 45 Olympic and Paralympic Champions and medal-holders, 79 World and European medalists, 55 participants of the Olympic Games, 70 athletes-members of the national teams, 36 sports experts, as well as 36 creative artists who made a significant contribution to the development of science, culture and art. Today hundreds of happy families live in the dwelling complex “Olympiysky”.

An important objective of the NOC Belarus for the forthcoming period is the construction of modern headquarters complex comprising a hotel, an underground parking, a museum, a press-center, a café and a restaurant.

Building and reconstruction of the Sport Complex “Olympiysky” is completed. It was set up in accordance with the Decree of  the President of the Republic of Belarus of March 17, 1998.

The Sports Complex is located in the park in the name of Chelyuskintsev in Minsk and its square is 17 hectares . It is used for training of national swimming, diving, water polo and synchronized swimming teams.

In swimming pools children’s preschool groups, schoolchildren of Minsk schools and students of higher educational establishments train in swimming.

People who are keen on sport practice sports in the Complex.

The Museum of Olympic Glory

The Olympic Museum opening ceremony took place on July 6, 2006.

The founder of the Modern Olympic Movement Pierre de Coubertin said: «The Olympic idea is directed to save the balance between mind and a body because it concentrates the moral values necessary for perfection of a person». This idea is the basis for activities by the Museum of Olympic Glory. The main goal of the Olympic Museum is to promote Olympic ideals, sport and healthy life style among young athletes and the youth of the country.

The Museum is an important component of Olympic education. Here the Olympic ideals, a healthy life-style are actively promoted. Participants of the seminar of the NOC heads from the CIS countries and Baltic States became the first visitors of the Museum of Olympic Glory. There is a good tradition: Olympic Champions and guests leave souvenirs and exhibits in the Museum as well as autographs and wishes in the memorable book of the Museum.

In the Museum the National Olympic Committee of Belarus held a meeting devoted to the 50th anniversary of the Belarusian women’s participation in the Olympic Movement. Anita L. DeFrantz, Chairwoman of the IOC Commission ‘Women and Sport’, sent a congratulation letter to the participants of the meeting.

Competitions to Promote Ideals of Olympism

The motto of the Olympic Movement is “Citius, Altius, Fortius” (‘Faster! Higher! Stronger!’). He calls upon all athletes for self-improvement according to Olympic principles.

It means not only aspiration of athletes to develop physical qualities, but also achievement of their intellectual and spiritual perfection. It’s not by chance underlined in the Olympic Charter that Olympism should unite sport, culture and education. On this basis Olympians become an example of appropriate behavior and respect for general moral and ethical standards.

The National Olympic Committee in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture of Belarus organizes the Republican contest “Sport and Art” before every edition of the Olympic Games. Students of higher educational establishments of the Ministry of Culture – future artists and sculptors – take part in it. Works of the winners are sent to the IOC Olympic Museum to participate in the international contest.

In 2000 Darya Moroz, a fourth-year student of the Academy of Arts, won in this contest. Her picture “Fire of Olymp” was exhibited during the Opening Ceremony at the Sydney Olympiad. Now it is displayed in the Olympic Museum in Lausanne (Switzerland).

The NOC contest for young people knowledgeable in sport enjoys high popularity. Its winners are sent to the International Olympic Youth Camp during the Olympic Games. More than 400 children from 200 countries of the world gather in the Camp. Over 6 000 schoolchildren from all the regions of Belarus participated in the “Sydney 2000” contest.

Schoolchildren from Minsk and Vitebsk became its winners. In 2004 schoolchildren from Gomel and Minsk won in the “Athens 2004” contest. In 2008 schoolchildren from Minsk and Vitebsk won. It is an unforgettable experience for children to visit the Olympic Stadium during the Opening Ceremony of the Games because it is a big luck to see the ceremony of the Olympic Fire lighting with own eyes. Schoolchildren from Belarus get this right thanks to their knowledge of the Olympic Movement demonstrated during the contest.

After the Summer Olympic Games the NOC of Belarus announces the best sports journalists which covered the preparation and performance of athletes during the Games.

Celebration of the 10 best athletes, the best team and the best male and female athletes, which is annually arranged by the NOC, has become a tradition.

  Sport for All Program

The National Olympic Committee develops not only high-level sport. Sport for All Program has been worked out for encouragement of young people to lead a healthy life-style.

Sports events for children are regularly held in all the regions of the Republic. The most popular and traditional among them are the “For Healthy Lifestyle”, “Olympiad – not only for Olympians”, “Achieve Your Best”, “Olympic Torch Relay”, “I’m Drawing Sport”.

Competitions and tournaments organized by the National Olympic Committee and its regional Representative Offices gather thousands of sport fans of different age. For example, pupils of Boarding School for Children Remained Without Parents of the city of Zhodino are regularly participate in sport festivals and meetings with Olympic champions and legends of Belarusian sport. The National Olympic Committee is a patron of this school.

“Olympic Day Run” and “Olympians – Among Us” are the most popular large-scale mass sport festivals in Belarus. All participants of these fascinating starts (regardless of age and shown results) receive certificates of the International Olympic Committee signed by its President.

Sport festivals gather thousands of inhabitants

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