Night at the Olympic Museum: Meeting Belarus’ top athletes

The Night at the Olympic Museum event drew a large crowd to the headquarters of Belarus’ National Olympic Committee on 15 May.

Our exhibition continues to be a popular attraction year after year.

A tour of the NOC of Belarus is a wonderful opportunity to spend an evening in the company of celebrated athletes, see their awards, rare medals, and artifacts tied to the history of Belarusian sport.



That evening, the museum exhibition opened its doors to visitors, offering a unique nighttime atmosphere filled with lights, the spirit of victory, and interactive displays. Visitors could not only examine rare items but also take part in interactive contests that made everyone feel like a part of Olympic history.

Champions League winner, Olympian from London, and Belarusian football legend Alexander Hleb gladly accepted the invitation to come to the Olympic Museum and share memories of his sports career:

“I really enjoyed it. So many emotions. The people were so open. Events like this help children learn about our sports heroes, about the people who gave a huge part of their lives to bring glory to their country. There were a lot of interesting questions. For example, ‘What do you need to strive for in order to become who you dream of being?’ - at first glance, it’s a simple question, but it’s also profound. You start to remember and talk, and a wave of emotion washes over you. You want to share your experience and your story with young people and adults. It was very moving, and I really liked the meeting. This kind of connection between people and between athletes helps improve our sport,” Alexander Hleb said.

Particular attention was drawn to meetings with famous athletes, who shared personal stories and secrets of their success. This year, the lineup of experts was extremely diverse, with legends of world sport coming to the Hall of Fame. At the NOC of Belarus, event participants met with Olympic 100m champion Yuliya Nestsiarenka, Champions League winner Alexander Hleb, silver medalist in biathlon at the 2022 Winter Olympics Anton Smolski, renowned biathletes Dzmitry Lazouski and Stsiapan Danilau, and hockey players Egor Borikov and Vadim Moroz.

In the Olympic Hall of Fame, visitors heard stories about the athletes’ successes and hobbies, what they like to eat, and what kind of music they listen to.

“For fans and young sports enthusiasts, this is a unique opportunity to chat in a relaxed setting, ask absolutely any questions, meet face to face, and have a conversation. Events like this help popularize sport. I think it’s very beneficial for young people who are interested in sports to come to the NOC of Belarus. The Olympic Hall of Fame has a special atmosphere, and it’s very motivating to achieve even greater success,” noted Egor Borikov.

“I’m here at the National Olympic Committee for the first time. I was impressed by how accessible the medals that are significant to our sport are for visitors. Scherbo’s award, the London Games torch... So many things left an impression. My own journey began with rhythmic gymnastics, so I’m very familiar with the achievements in that discipline. I don’t know as much about others. Sport and ballet have a lot in common: every day you work for results, and it all comes down to determination and a clear understanding of what you’re striving for. A live conversation is always wonderful. You get to hear honest answers, feel the athletes’ energy, and hear words of motivation that are important for the younger generation to keep moving forward, find inspiration, and never give up,” said Irina Varfolomeeva, a ballerina at the Bolshoi Theater.

“My family and I have been regular participants in this event since 2018. My wife starts checking almost from winter on when we can sign up to visit the exhibition. We haven’t been able to get in every year - there are so many people who want to come - but this year it all worked out, and we’re very happy to have made it to this great event. We couldn’t get into the interactive zone this time, and there are new awards on display. I follow Belarusian sports, and football and biathlon are my favorites,” said Aleksei Klimko.

Biathlete Anton Smolski is a frequent guest at the NOC of Belarus, and fans are always happy to see him at the Night at the Olympic Museum event.

“Every time, I feel nothing but positive emotions after talking with the people who come to the museum on this evening. The most important thing is the genuine interest of the fans; it’s especially enjoyable to talk about biathlon. There are so many questions that take me back to my childhood, and to key moments in my life and career,” said the 2022 Beijing Olympics silver medalist.

The event concluded with a group photo, and each visitor received commemorative gifts.

The NOC of Belarus has been taking part in this event since 2018. Museum Night is an international cultural event. Museums stay open late into the night, offering special programs such as interactive tours, performances, workshops, and unique lighting displays for their exhibitions. In Belarus, events will take place in many cities, with a focus on cultural connections.

Press service of the NOC of Belarus

Photos by the NOC of Belarus