The historic 101st IOC session in Monaco for the Belarusian NOC

On this day, 30 years ago, the 101st session of the International Olympic Committee began in Monaco, at which the NOC of Belarus became a full member of the world Olympic family. The Republic of Belarus has received the right to perform at the main starts of the fourth anniversary.

In the photo, the head of the IOC, Juan Antonio Samaranch, passes the certificate to the first head of the National Olympic Committee, Vladimir Ryzhenkov.

The formation of the Olympic movement in Belarus took place in the difficult 90s. By the session in Monte Carlo (Monaco), since the formation of the NOC, Belarus had to do serious work to join the ranks of the international Olympic family.

For the first time Belarusian athletes performed as an independent squad at the Olympic Games in 1994. This historic event took place at the Winter Games in Lillehammer (Norway). Belarusian athletes then won two silver awards. Igor Zhelezovsky (speed skating) and Svetlana Paramygina (biathlon) distinguished themselves.

Ekaterina Karsten (Khodotovich) won the first Olympic gold medal in the history of independent Belarus. It happened on July 28, 1996 in Atlanta (USA).

Press department of NOC Belarus
Photo by NOC Belarus