Aliaksandr Bahdanovich/NOC
MOSCOW, 14 September (BelTA) – Stripping athletes of a national flag and anthem is discrimination against them, Olympic champion in canoeing, chairman of the Athletes’ Commission of the National Olympic Committee of Belarus Aliaksandr Bahdanovich said on the sidles of a joint meeting of the athletes’ commissions of the National Olympic Committee of Belarus and the Russian Olympic Committee in Moscow, BelTA has learned.
“For any athlete, this is a discriminatory situation. An athlete represents his/her country, carries its flag and emblem. This is very important for athletes, because they grew up in this country, embrace its values. This is the home of their mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, all relatives who support them. Therefore, they want to represent their country,” Aliaksandr Bahdanovich said.
He stressed that every athlete wants to be a symbol of victory for their fans. “It is sad that they are not given such an opportunity. But, on the other hand, not to give them the opportunity to participate even without a flag and anthem… We cannot do this either. Participation in the Olympics is the dream of every athlete, and we cannot take this dream away,” Aliaksandr Bahdanovich noted.
“But if our athletes are allowed to compete in the Olympic Games without a flag, anthem and emblem, we must do everything to make them feel like true heroes at home. And they will be true heroes for us. We will give them a heroes welcome to show that we root for them, that we are proud of them. They are destined to compete in such difficult conditions and show the highest sports result,” Aliaksandr Bahdanovich emphasized.
The event in Moscow has brought together over 250 specialists. Belarus is represented at the event by Ksenia Sankovich, Acting Secretary General of the NOC of Belarus, Aliaksandr Bahdanovich, Chairman of the Athletes’ Commission, Liudmila Kalinchik, a member of the Commission, as well as invited athletes Karyna Dziominskaya (archery), Ruslan Skamaroshka (swimming), Pavel Dzik (aerials) and others. Russia is represented by Olympic participants Anastasia Maximova, Evgeny Rylov, Artur Dalaloyan, Nikita Nagorny, Aliya Mustafina, Sofia Pozdnyakova, Alexander Tretyakov and others.
In addition to the plenary session, the event will comprise panel discussions to consider issues of interest to both current athletes and those who have completed or are completing their sports careers. Each discussion group is expected to compile documents including proposals and wishes of the participants.
