The medalists of the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics became the Presidential Sports Club scholarships

On December 19, the XIII ceremony of awarding scholarships of the Presidential Sports Club was held at the Belarusian Olympic Hall of Fame of the National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Belarus. This year, 253 athletes and coaches became scholarship holders. Among them 13 participants of the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires.

Scholarships and badges for young athletes were presented by Dmitry Lukashenko, chairman of the central council of the Presidential Sports Club. The Minister of Sports and Tourism Sergei Kovalchuk, Olympic champion of Seoul 1988 in the rhythmic gymnastics Marina Lobach and the first vice-president of the NOC Belarus Andrei Astashevich also welcomed with a warm message. Andrei Astashevich said: “It’s nice to see young people who have already achieved something in sport. I wish you diligence and success in your future work. Look at the portraits of Olympic champions that surround you. I hope, your photos will decorate this Hall of fame soon. I wish you health, success and confidently go to your dream!”

13 of the 37 participants of the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires received nominal scholarships for 2019. They are two-time champion Artsiom Kolasau (judo), silver medalist Ivan Brynza (rowing) and bronze medalists Natallia Varakina (women wrestling) and Krystsina Kantsavenka (athletics). Also, the annual financial payments will get Ivan Litvinovich (trampoline), Alina Luchshava, Hnna Zubkova, Yahor Chuiko (all – in athletics), Kseniya Dzibuk (women wrestling), Anna Kamenschikova (rhytmic gymnastics), Abdul-Aziz Kurdi (shooting), Viktoryja Kanapatskaya (tennis) and Katsiaryna Etsina (modern pentathlon).

Artsiom Kolasau is glad to be a scholarship: “I am first time at such ceremony. My emotions are new. It was expected, but still nice. I am happy that they will help me financially. I can spend this money on self-improvement, vitamins and equipment ".

Ivan Brynza also said: “I am very pleased to be a scholarship. If I will have a good results during the year, financial support will last. So, I can help my mother.”

Natallia Varakina recognizes material support: “Thanks to the Presidential Sports Club. This is the most important recognition for me. I didn’t have such high results previously. Now I will try to fulfill my dream and win the Olympic Games. And I wanna to perform at the II European Games next summer.”

Krystsina Kantsavenka noted the prestige of the ceremony: “I was awarded this scholarship for the first time. It is important and prestigious. This is a good bonus for my result. II will spend money wisely.”

The average size of the scholarship is 7,487 Belarusian rubles per year for athletes and 8,000 for coaches.