Bright sports carnival

The BRICS Games have become a bright celebration for both athletes and fans

Two hundred and forty-seven medals, 55 of which are gold — this is the result of the performance of Belarusian athletes at the BRICS Games, Russia. The tournament has acquired an unprecedented scale this year. Its programme encompassed 27 sports, while more than 3,000 athletes representing several dozen countries took part in the competition. Belarus’ national team took the second place in the overall medal standings, letting only the hosts of the multisport forum take the lead — the Russian team ended up with over 500 awards in its piggy bank.

Belarusian athletes Viachaslau Skudny (gold) and Dzmitry Savin (silver)      Aleksandr Kulevsky


For two weeks, Kazan lived in the rhythm of a crazy sports carnival. The sports arenas that hosted competitions in various sports came to life one by one and attracted crowds of enthusiastic fans who got hungry for major tournaments, since both Belarusian and Russian athletes have been banned from most international competitions. During this difficult period, the BRICS Games, which were held for the first time in a new, much broader format than in previous years, have become an outlet for both athletes and spectators.
Belarusians went to Kazan in a wide group, which included almost 600 people — athletes, coaches, and specialists. The athletes performed at the BRICS Games with flying colours having won medals in all the sports where they competed, with the exception of football duathlon, which is a newly born discipline that combines playing in a VR simulator and fighting on a real playground. The Belarusian anthem was played in the arenas of Kazan many times, so let us recall and honour those who made a special contribution to the success of the Belarusian team.

Maryna Litvinchuk, Belarusian canoe and kayak athlete, silver and twice bronze medallist of the Olympic Games   Aleksandr Kulevsky

Belarusian kayakers and canoeists traditionally performed brilliantly at the Games — day after day, they won a whole scattering of awards. Three times it happened that the podium at the end of the competition became exclusively Belarusian. This was the case after the final race of the women’s kayak single for 500 metres, then after the kayak doubles race on the same distance. The success of our award-winning women athletes was supported by the men who left their competitors out of business in the 500-metre kayak single race. Maryna Litvinchuk has returned home with the biggest gold medal haul from the BRICS Games — she won five gold medals and one silver. The silver and twice bronze medallist of the Olympic Games shared her emotions, “It feels like we have finally returned to the international arena, being able to perform in our national uniform and sing the anthem.” Belarusian athletes — Alena Nazdrova and Uladzislau Kravets, Volha Khudzenka and others — put up a scintillating performance on the rowing channel on Lake Sredny Kaban. Great job!

Ilya Shymanovich, Belarusian swimmer      Aleksandr Kulevsky

Belarusians also set the tone in the swimming pool of the Aquatics Palace, repeatedly rising to the highest step of the podium. Our swimmers won 24 medals at the BRICS Games. At the same time, Ilya Shymanovich secured four gold medals and one silver, and Alina Zmushka won four gold awards. Belarusian graceful rhythmic gymnasts imposed serious rivalry on their opponents on the gymnastics carpet. Anastasiia Salos won three medals at the BRICS Games, and junior Nicole Liauta even more — six awards in total, including gold. The girls were bathed in applause and confessed that despite the fact that it was not easy to compete at the BRICS Games since the competition format in rhythmic gymnastics assumed a qualification stage and performance not only in standard exercises, but also without an object, it was very interesting. “The support was amazing,” Anastasiia Salos noted. “It is very pleasant when fans support not only their athletes, but also gymnasts from other countries.”  

Anastasiia Salos' performance    Aleksandr Kulevsky

Belarusian athletes shone even in sports that are not traditional for Belarus. In basketball duathlon, which was widely presented for the first time at the Games of the Future in Kazan only in February, our guys clinched silver, losing the victory in the tournament to the Russians. Belarusians performed well in the original types of equestrian sports — trick riding and tent pegging. A scattering of awards were also taken in belt wrestling and koresh sports, which are widespread in Tatarstan.  
When visiting the competitions with the participation of Belarusian athletes, Belarus’ Minister of Sports and Tourism Sergei Kovalchuk pointed out that many countries sent high-class athletes to take part in the BRICS Games. The hosts of the tournament, Russians, fielded two strong teams in almost every sport, and good teams were brought by China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and many other countries. Sergei Kovalchuk summed up that considering the fact that our athletes participated in the BRICS Games for the first time, they performed very well.

The closing of the Games in Kazan coincided with the Sabantuy holiday    

The atmosphere of friendliness prevailed not only in the sports arenas but also in the Universiade Village, where almost all participants of the BRICS Games lived. Every evening, representatives of various countries gathered in the fan zone to relieve tension after intense competitive days, communicate, participate in contests, play board games and hit the dance floor at discos. 
The closing of the BRICS Games was impressive. In Kazan, it was decided not to hold a separate ceremony, thus all participants were invited to the traditional Tatar holiday Sabantuy. A real national celebration was waiting for them in the village of Mirny. Eleven Tatarstan districts showcased expositions where the participants of the Games could get an insight into Tatar houses, clothes, kitchenware and other details of daily life of local residents, as well as taste dishes of national cuisine. The music during the Sabantuy did not stop for a minute. There was a great variety of folk entertainment — athletes were offered to try their hand at fighting with bags on a log, beating pots, taking part in an egg-and-spoon race or race with a milkmaid’s yoke, and even a sack race… The participants surely have a lot of impressions after such a heartfelt reception.
The twelve sports-filled days are over, and it can be stated that the BRICS Games have become a memorable holiday for both athletes and spectators, who filled the stands every day in keen anticipation. “The main thing is that all of us — both athletes and spectators — enjoyed the event. It was a new project, there has never been a competition of this rank within the BRICS community,” summed up the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sport of the Republic of Tatarstan, Vladimir Leonov. “We have set an incredibly high bar. Many athletes compare these Games with the Olympics in terms of their level of preparation. This format has a great future.” 

By Tatiana Pastushenko