Belarus’ NOC Awards: Spotlight on Smolski, Harnasko, trampoline, ice hockey

The National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Belarus has held its 2025 Awards ceremony.
The event served as a brilliant finale to a packed competitive year, full of triumphant victories and unforgettable achievements by our athletes.

President of the National Olympic Committee of Belarus Viktor Lukashenko opened the grand ceremony of the Belarus’ NOC Awards 2025.

In his address, the NOC head highlighted the achievements of Belarusian athletes and emphasized that the entire sports family remains united and cohesive in its pursuit of justice, honesty, and love for the motherland:

“In the passing year of 2025, we have once again witnessed the strength and talent of our athletes. They have achieved victories at the most significant international competitions. In aquatics (swimming and artistic swimming), rowing, canoe sprint, in women’s and Greco-Roman wrestling, trampoline, rhythmic and artistic gymnastics, in beach soccer, biathlon, ice hockey, and many other sports, you have impressed us with your achievements, given us unforgettable emotions, and a sense of pride. We were, of course, also pleased by the younger generation, which has made its presence known loudly on the international stage. I am confident that in the near future, they will join the ranks of Belarus’ strongest athletes, and we will see their names among the nominees and winners of our Awards. It is worth noting the gradual shifts in the international agenda. The election of a new IOC President instills a certain confidence in a more constructive approach, one based on the fundamental principles of Olympism, which will ultimately lead to the full restoration of Belarusian athletes’ rights on the world stage. I want to thank the athletes for their courage, fortitude, and patience, for not giving up and continuing to train, becoming stronger and more resilient despite any external circumstances. They grow and improve themselves daily and, most importantly, remain united in their aspirations for victory, justice, honesty, and love for their homeland. I am sure that for the majority of our talented athletes, the main competitions, victories, and successes still lie ahead! I would like to separately note that all the numerous achievements of Belarusian sports are the result not only of our athletes’ outstanding abilities but also of the joint, well-coordinated work of the Sport and Tourism Ministry, the sports federations, and the National Olympic Training Centers, as well as the colossal efforts of coaches, medical staff, psychologists, and all those who are always by their side. Thank you for demonstrating your professionalism, wisdom, patriotism, striving for the highest results, and supporting our athletes every day,” said Viktor Lukashenko.

Among the award winners are those whose performances became true examples of courage, dedication, determination, and professionalism.

WINNERS OF BELARUS’ NOC AWARDS

Best Male Athlete – Anton Smolski
Best Female Athlete – Alina Harnasko
Best Coach – Olga Vlasova
Best Team – Men’s Trampoline Team
Breakthrough of the Year – HC Dinamo Minsk

In 2025, Anton Smolski delivered brilliant results, serving as the leader of our entire “team of magicians”. He won the overall standings of the Commonwealth Cup and continues to lead it in the current season.

“It is a tremendous honor to be the winner of such a prestigious award. I am certain every athlete in this hall deserves this award. Huge thanks to the organizers of this brilliant event — the NOC of Belarus. It was beautiful and amazing!!! Thank you to my team for their work, as I work alongside fellow fans and enthusiasts just like me. Belarus gives birth to mighty heroes and strong, beautiful women; we are a healthy nation both physically and mentally. We all work for the benefit of our beloved Belarus,” said Anton Smolski.

An outstanding career and numerous victories earned Alina Harnasko the win in this prestigious category.

“This year has been challenging for me; at one point, I even considered ending my career. However, I made the decision to continue after the long-awaited thaw on the world stage and our return to European and World Championships. I thank the NOC of Belarus, the Sport and Tourism Ministry, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko, and, of course, my coaches for such high recognition of my work. I hope that all the most challenging and trying times are now behind us in our sport,” Alina Harnasko said.

The men’s trampoline team became the winner of the Belarus’ NOC Awards in the Team of the Year category.

In 2025, Olga Vlasova’s athletes excelled at the FIG Trampoline Gymnastics World Championships in Pamplona, Spain. They won four medals, three of which were gold:

Ivan Litvinovich, Sebastian Stankevich, and Andrei Builou took first place in the men's team competition;

Andrei Builou and Ivan Litvinovich became champions in the synchronized event.

“I would like to express my gratitude for this Awards ceremony. It is an honor to win among such strong teams – HC Dinamo Minsk, the beach soccer national team. You guys are great! We express our gratitude for the support to President of the NOC of Belarus Viktor Lukashenko, and the leadership of the Sport and Tourism Ministry. Our special thanks to the head of state; he always roots for us. Special words of gratitude go to our coach Olga Vlasova. She is not just a coach; she is our mother, we love and appreciate her,” two-time Olympic champion Ivan Litvinovich said receiving the award.

The NOC of Belarus thanks all participants, organizers, and wishes everyone new successes and resounding victories in the coming year of 2026!

Press service of the NOC of Belarus
Photos by the NOC of Belarus