Photo courtesy of Belarus’ NOC
MINSK, 22 March (BelTA) – The National Olympic Committee (NOC) of the Republic of Belarus is marking 32 years since its foundation, BelTA learned from the press service of the NOC.
The NOC of the BSSR was founded at a conference in Minsk on 22 March 1991. Since the moment our country gained independence the organization has been called the National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Belarus. On 9 March 1992 the NOC of Belarus was recognized by the International Olympic Committee as a provisional member of the organization. One and a half years later at the 101st Session of the IOC in Monaco the NOC of Belarus became a full member of the Olympic family – our country obtained the right to delegate the national team to the major competitions.
Vladimir Ryzhenkov was elected first head of the National Olympic Committee of Belarus. In 1997, the NOC was headed by Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko, who held the post for 24 years. In 2021 Viktor Lukashenko became new head of the organization.
Over 32 years of the NOC’s history Belarusian athletes have performed at 15 Olympic Games – 8 winter and 7 summer editions. They have won 105 (21 gold, 37 silver and 47 bronze) medals. Since the establishment of the Olympic Committee, the country’s sports base has changed and improved considerably. Today Belarus has more than 23,000 sports facilities.
