A good tradition of NOC of Belarus

Drizzling rain, windy and overcast weather did not hinder Belarusian athletes and officials of the National Olympic Committee of Belarus from taking part in the nationwide voluntary campaign Bringing Forests Back to Life

They traveled to Dzerzhinsk District to plant coniferous tree seedlings at one of the sites of the Stankovo forestry.

Chief forester of the Minsk forestry Andrei Kalechits noted that ten years ago, athletes and the Olympic committee took part in the reforestation efforts, and the trees they planted have long since taken root and grown taller than human height.

Our famous athletes: Olympic champion Alla Tsuper, chairman of the Belarusian Tennis Federation, six-time EHF Champions League winner Siarhei Rutenka, world champion in biathlon Olena Zubrilova, famous Belarusian football player Alexander Hleb and also sports veterans Leonid Khromenkov and Nikolai Bolshakov planted seedlings on a plot of more than 1.5 hectares carefully observing the recommendations of experts.

“The weather is perfect for planting saplings!” This opinion was expressed by Belarusian athletes as they took part in Belarus’ forest restoration campaign Bringing Forests Back to Life. The Olympic champion also marked her birthday on that day.

 
“Today is a wonderful day. Today is my birthday! This one will be a memorable for me. It is a truly great event! This is not the first time we have participated in the campaign. Everyone who is here today will contribute to the landscaping of Belarus. Everyone who comes to us admires our nature,” Alla Tsuper said.

“It is not the first time I have taken part in the campaign. This is an example for young people to follow. We need to appreciate and love our nature, which we have inherited. Belarus is very beautiful and green. We should cherish it and do everything with love,” Alexander Hleb said.

 
“In fact, the weather is very good for planting saplings. Friends and acquaintances get together, many of them already know how to plant. We follow the instructions, and also the distance between the trees. The most important thing is that we do good together,” Siarhei Rutenka emphasized.

This year’s campaign Bringing Forests Back to Life kicked off at the end of March marking the Year of Improvement and the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

Press service of the NOC of Belarus
Photos by the NOC of Belarus