Petrishenko: Belarus will defend its athletes’ rights in international arena
Belarus will defend the rights of its athletes in every possible way in the international arena so that they can perform and demonstrate the best achievements – as stated by Deputy Prime Minister Igor Petrishenko
As he visited one of the country’s major sports facilities – Bobruisk Arena, Mr. Petrishenko commented on an issue that concerns Belarus’ society and athletes, “Under far-fetched pretexts of violating all norms of international sports law, international sports officials have suspended our athletes and continue to do this: they have recently taken a decision of the kind regarding our tennis players. In accordance with all the norms, our National Paralympic Committee has filed an appeal to the International Paralympic Committee. Our athletes – who are motivated and determined to win – are not allowed to perform as they have been suspended from the Paralympic Games. We will defend their rights in every possible way, as well as the rights of other athletes – so that they can perform and demonstrate their best achievements. If international sports officials consider that – by going beyond not only international legal norms but also any other moral principles – they will continue to suspend our athletes, and we will eliminate the sports industry in Belarus, then they are deeply mistaken.”
Mr. Petrishenko noted that a relevant calendar schedule of joint Belarus-Russia sports events has been signed, and it has already been approved at a joint board.
“We are actively working to ensure that our athletes participate and demonstrate their highest achievements. We are also working on the CIS platform. In about a year, the 2nd CIS Games will be held, and our sportsmen will participate. We liaise with the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation and BRICS member states. We want to involve a wider international community in fair sports, to develop sports results based on the International Sports Charter, while defending the independence and honour of our athletes,” Belarus’ Deputy Prime Minister stressed.
