Olympic Day in Minsk: Great way to spend time with your family

On Saturday morning, the Palace of Sports in Minsk was busy preparing for Olympic Day. The traditional sports festival on Minsk City Day drew children and their parents long before the event started. There more than 20 venues representing HC Dinamo Minsk, federations of athletics, volleyball, handball, basketball, canoeing and kayaking, boxing and other sports.







The spectacular opening ceremony with fireworks in the colors of Minsk was attended by President of the NOC of Belarus Viktor Lukashenko, Minsk Mayor Vladimir Kukharev, two-time Olympic champion, trampoline gymnast Ivan Litvinovich and medalists of the Paris Olympics Yauheni Zalaty and Viyaleta Bardzilouskaya.

Upon taking to the stage, Viktor Lukashenko congratulated Minsk on City Day and wished it peace, goodness and prosperity for many years to come.



“It is gratifying to see that such a large number of people have gathered near the Palace of Sports. The event has brought together children and their parents – it is a real family holiday. I am sure that they will not be disappointed, that kids will have the opportunity to learn more about the sports represented here and to choose one of them to pursue. Today, someone will definitely take their first step towards the Olympics, our famous athletes did not hesitate for a second when they were asked to attend this event,” said the head of the NOC.

During a media scrum, the NOC head emphasized that the children will have to try hard today to get coveted prizes.

“Olympic Day is a family holiday. To make the event a success, you need to put your heart and mind into it. That’s what we do. Every year we try to introduce something new to make this event even more interesting and spectacular. This time we have complicated our Olympic quest a little: participants will have to invest a lot of effort into winning it. This is sport! I am sure that the participants will not be disappointed and today someone will definitely take their first step towards the Olympics,” Viktor Lukashenko told the media.

The NOC president also shared his opinion of the Paris Olympics:

“I think the head of state will assess Belarus’ performance at the Games a little later. Of the 17 athletes, 4 won medals, 11 were in the top eight. I think this is a good performance. There are many young and promising athletes among them, who, I am sure, will definitely prove themselves in the future. If the Olympic movement goes in the right direction, we will definitely grace the podium, take high places, our country will be proud of our athletes, while our athletes will also be proud to compete for Belarus, for their families, friends and themselves.

Expanding on the topic of the Olympic Games and international competitions, Viktor Lukashenko remarked:

“Trials always harden people, especially strong people like athletes, so despite or thanks to the sanctions, the athletes demonstrated good results. In our country, athletes spend their whole lives preparing for the Olympic Games. Losing an opportunity to fulfill this dream is wrong. Look how people rejoice at their victories, how they are welcomed and congratulated. Of course, it is bad not to be able to perform under your flag and anthem. It is clear that many athletes who earned an Olympic berth did not go there, although they would have definitely stood on the podium. But they and all of us knew that they are Belarusians. We were proud of them! And they are proud of their country. At the moment, we need to participate in international competitions, in the Olympic Games and do everything to be fully represented at these international events.



Minsk Mayor Vladimir Kukharev noted that Minskers love sports:

“Olympic Day on Minsk City Day has already become a good tradition. After such large-scale sporting events, we see that the number of children who take up sports is increasing. I think that today everyone will be engaged in sports activities and find a favorite sports venue. The number of children and young people who have come to participate in sports events today suggests that we have done everything right to encourage people to do sports and to help them figure out what sport is best for them. I have no doubt that today’s festival will help children decide on the sport they want to pursue. These are our future champions.



Two-time Olympic champion in trampoline jumping Ivan Litvinovich willingly posed for photos and signed autographs, and also shared his impressions of the sports festival at the Palace of Sports:

“I liked the opening ceremony of Olympic Day. Lots of emotions, lots of friends who congratulated me, they were happy to see me. Such sports festivals help young people grow, give them an opportunity to try themselves in many sports. I am happy to be here.”

Olympic Day turned out to be a truly family holiday. After completing all the tasks children, together with their parents and friends came for the coveted prizes.








“I liked everything. Great prizes! Interesting tasks in pentathlon and cheerleading. Colorfully decorated venues, exciting sports tasks that were not so easy, but I did it and I received a smart watch. I think many people liked today’s holiday, which turned out to be very exciting and cheerful. Olympic Day is great,” said Ulyana.



Viyaleta Bardzilouskaya, Paris Olympics silver medalist in trampoline jumping, attended Olympic Day for the first time and shared her emotions.

“Very positive impressions, I like everything very much, it looks great! A lot of people, a large scale. I am glad that so many children have come to this event. This is a great way to promote sports and sports events.”







Partners of Belarus’ NOC have been featured at Olympic Day for several years. It is hard to imagine the Belagroprombank site without the charming Agrik, an excellent multi-sport photo zone, lots of agricoins and nice surprises.



There were sites of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Belavia, and the Hongqi automobile brand. The Emergencies Ministry arranged a tournament among its best teams.

There was a quiz on the history of sports at the Olympic Academy venue. The most knowledgeable participants got prizes.



The sports festival was organized by the NOC of Belarus together with the Minsk City Executive Committee. It turned out to be spectacular, sporty and memorable.

Press service of the NOC of Belarus

Photos of the NOC of Belarus