MINSK, March 24 President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said that the country has created necessary conditions for the training of athletes, they must show high results despite external pressure. «Today we will talk about the situation in big-time sports. I would just like, as a practical person, to hear the answer to the main question: we have done everything so that athletes can it was worthy to perform, to prepare. We created the conditions. And it cost our state a lot. What is the result?» Lukashenka said at a meeting on the results of the participation of Belarusian athletes in the XXIV Winter Olympic Games in 2022 and the prospects for the development of winter sports. His words are quoted by the press service of the head of state on the website of the president. «Where is the dynamics positive, where is the progress? That's what I need … We have invested huge money. And people want to see their heroes (victories in sports — ed.),» he stressed. In turn, according to the Belta agency, Minister of Sports and Tourism Sergei Kovalchuk noted in his report that «the preparation and participation of athletes in various competitions in recent years took place under conditions of unprecedented pressure on all Belarusian sports, the National Olympic Committee, sports organizations, athletes, coaches. But the president said that «for any action there is the same reaction.»
"No need to say who and who puts pressure on. They push everything and push everyone. This is not the reason. And athletes and the military exist for that: as you pressed, you got it (in response — ed.). Tell me, cross-country skiing — who put pressure on you so much that you practically did not participate in any form? I'm not talking about medals. There was no less pressure on Russia, especially on skiers. And the result? You didn't dream like that. You will never reach this level in your life. They won the most medals. That's pressure for you! And you?" Lukashenka asked.