Strong in spirit

Belarusian Paralympians have returned home from Paris

We can safely call people like them people with unlimited abilities. Belarusian athletes put up a scintillating performance and came back home from the Paralympics with their heads held high. The Belarusian team has won seven medals!

 Aleksandr Kushner

Cheers of admiration ‘Well done!’, ‘Great job!’, ‘Nailed it!’ and ‘You have glorified the country!’ were heard from all sides to greet our brave athletes during the solemn meeting of the delegation at the airport. The words were drowned in a sea of smiles, flowers, greetings and happy laughter, and were perfectly complemented by the glitter of medals proudly looking at everyone from the chest of the athletes who came back home. The composition of our delegation was incredibly small this time — only eight athletes managed to win the right to perform in France under conditions of severe discrimination. However, never had our team been so close-knit and friendly, and gracefully upheld the honour of the country. The last sonorous chord of the Belarusian national team at the Paris 2024 Paralympics was Dzmitry Salei’s silver in the 100-metre butterfly S12 on the final day of the competition. 

CONGRATULATIONS

President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko has congratulated Dzmitry Salei, a member of the national Paralympic sports team, on winning silver at the Paris 2024 Paralympics.

“I am sincerely glad that thanks to your perseverance, character and high athletic skills, you have risen to the podium once again. Well done!” the congratulatory message reads. Aleksandr Lukashenko wished Dzmitry Salei good health, well-being and new achievements. 

Earlier, President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko congratulated Ihar Boki, a member of the national Paralympic sports team, on setting a world record and winning five gold medals, as well as Yahor Shchalkanau, a member of the national Paralympic sports team, on securing a gold medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. 
Let us remind that earlier, magnificent Ihar Boki became the five-time champion and the main hero of the Paris competitions, who brought the score of his Paralympic titles to a truly incredible number — 21 gold medals — five each in London 2012, Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, and six in Rio 2016! Yahor Shchalkanau, the youngest member of the Belarusian Paralympic team, also brought a gold medal from Paris, contributing to the overall success.
The Motherland welcomed the triumphant return of its heroes with open arms, and dozens of meeters and greeters who arrived at the airport, despite the rather late time on Sunday, rewarded athletes and their coaches with well-deserved ovations. Congratulatory notes from the President of Belarus and the head of the National Olympic Committee were read out and handed over to the triumphants. The solemn meeting would not be complete without the traditional bread and salt welcome, followed by a folk choir with songs and dances that added to even more festive and vibrant atmosphere, and recharged the batteries of the victorious athletes tired after a long trip. 
It goes without saying that Ihar Boki was in the limelight. The first thing he did was hug his wife and take his daughter in his arms while shining brighter than all his gold medals. 

Ihar Boki with his wife and daughter         Aleksandr Kushner

  “I will try to continue to develop, work hard and win medals,” the multichampion reassured everyone. “Despite the fact that we competed in Paris in a neutral status and without a flag, we keenly felt the support of our fans throughout all the Games. Everyone knew who we were and from which country, they knew that we represented Belarus. This added strength as we competed not only for ourselves. Now we will have a bit of rest and go back to fight for new victories!”

By Sergei Kanashits