NOC of Belarus is 30! The time of remarkable achievements and new names

A gala night dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Belarus was held at the Falcon Club Arena sports and entertainment center on 10 December 2021. 

The ceremony that wrapped up the anniversary celebrations was attended by many Olympic champions and prizewinners, famous coaches, old-timers of the sports and the Olympic movement, the leadership of the sports sector, famous public figures, artists, and media representatives.

It was crowded in the lobby of Falcon Club Arena long before the start of the event: famous athletes were happy to meet and catch up recalling the bright moments of their careers.

Opening the ceremony, President of the NOC of Belarus Viktor Lukashenko noted that the Olympic movement in Belarus has a rich history and recalled that over the years of the country’s sovereignty, Belarusian athletes have won 103 medals at the Olympic Games, including 21 gold.

"The names of many Belarusian athletes, including those in attendance today, are known far beyond the borders of our country. We can look back with pride, and the new generation of athletes needs to make every effort to confirm the status of our country as one of the sporting powers and strengthen its positions in the international arena," Viktor Lukashenko said.

He noted that the NOC of Belarus is a common home "where we share the joy of victories and the bitterness of defeats, where we are a team of like-minded people."

Viktor Lukashenko thanked retired and active athletes, their family members and friends, coaches, healthcare workers and other people working in the sports industry for their services to sports and congratulated them on the National Olympic Committee’s anniversary.

“Dear friends! Olympic champions inspire millions of children around the world to take up sports. To be a champion means to push yourself to the limit, to work at the best of your ability. 

In the year when the National Olympic Committee marks its 30th anniversary, in the run-up to New Year and Christmas holidays, I sincerely wish you good health, high spirits, new heights, Olympic podiums and new achievements in the name of Belarusian sports,” the NOC president said.

Belarusian Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko presented the Council of Ministers’ honorary diploma for services to physical culture and sports to senior members of the Belarusian NOC. 

“The anniversary is a great opportunity to recall the eventful and glorious history of the Olympic movement in our country, the wonderful and enthusiastic people whose hard work and talent defined the way Belarusian sport has evolved, to celebrate many generations of athletes and coaches who did Belarus proud. After all, each of the victories delivers moments of pure joy and pride for our country,” Roman Golovchenko noted.

Among the awardees were co-organizers of the Vytoki cultural and sports festival from the regions.

Sports federations, the Emergencies Ministry and Belagroprombank received commendation letters from the National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Belarus.

The gala night wrapped up with the presentation of Team Belarus outfit for the 24th Winter Olympic Games in Beijing. Belarusian athletes will perform under the TEAM BY brand. The clothing pieces of this collection bear the logo of IROS. The name comes from the ancient Greek god of happiness Kairos. This is the maiden kit line under the IROS brand.

Guests of the gala night stressed that many notable victories have been recorded since the NOC of Belarus was founded 30 years ago. Belarus has become recognizable worldwide while the Olympic movement in Belarus will further strive to reach new heights in the national sport.

For reference:

National Olympic Committee (NOC) was founded on 22 March 1991.

On 9 March 1992 the NOC of Belarus was recognized by the International Olympic Committee as a temporary member of the organization.

At the 101st International Olympic Committee Session held in Monaco on 21-24 September 1993, the NOC of Belarus was granted full membership. The Republic of Belarus received the right to delegate its national team to the Olympic Games.

Since the establishment of the National Olympic Committee, the country's athletes have competed in 14 Olympic Games - seven Winter and seven Summer Olympics. Belarusian athletes have won 103 Olympic medals: 21 gold, 35 silver and 47 bronze medals.

The main goals of the organization are to promote the fundamental principles and values of the Olympic movement, to ensure observance of the Olympic Charter in the Republic of Belarus, to counteract all forms of discrimination and violence in sport.

Over 30 years since the establishment of the NOC, the country’s sports base has changed and improved significantly. There are more than 23,000 sports facilities in Belarus today.