MINSK, 2 March (BelTA) – The preparations of the Belarusian athletes for the 31st Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro proceed according to schedule, First Deputy Sport and Tourism Minister, head of the Belarusian mission Alexander Gagiyev said at a meeting that took place at the National Olympic Committee on 1 March, BelTA learnt from the press service of the Sport and Tourism Ministry.
At the start of the meeting Alexander Gagiyev noted that all the issues related to the preparations for the Games are addressed in a routine mode together with representatives of the national teams. Belarus' participation in the forthcoming Games has been recently discussed at a government level during a meeting of the organizing committee led by Deputy Vice Premier Natalia Kochanova.
First Vice President of the National Olympic Committee Maxim Ryzhenkov stressed that “we are approaching Rio together, shoulder to shoulder. Decent performance at the Olympic Games is our number one task.” In his words, in two weeks' time another group of experts will go to Brazil to once again inspect accommodation premises, specify routes, catering and security issues.
According to the head of the department for external affairs and the organization of international sport events of the National Olympic Committee Vasily Yurchik, the accreditation of the Belarusian delegation is underway and some organizational issues are currently addressed. The Belarusian delegation will be accommodated in a 15-storied house located in the Olympic Village green zone. A standard set of the Olympic Village, including a canteen, gyms, a clinic, a bank and stores will be located within a protected area. Many of the sport facilities that will host competitions are located in close vicinity to the Village. The transportation of athletes and fans to the rest of the sport facilities will be organized.
As in previous games, the accreditation will serve as a visa entitling to stay in Brazil for the period of the Olympics. The meeting also discussed the flight of the Belarusian delegation to Rio, cargo delivery, medical and pharmacological support.
Special attention was paid to security issues. “The host party shall make every effort to create comfortable conditions of stay. However, we should be very careful and cautious, because such a large-scale event traditionally attracts the attention of all kinds of ill-wishers. For the Belarusian team the main task is to participate in competitions. Even potential risks should be minimized,” said Alexander Gagiev.
The meeting heard brief reports by the representatives of all kinds of sports who already qualified or have not yet lost a chance to qualify for the Olympics.
The 31st Summer Olympic Games will be held in Rio de Janeiro from 5 to 21 August. The Games will have a record number of medal events (306) and a record number of participating countries (206).
As of 1 March 85 Belarusian athletes have qualified for 15 sports, 58 events on the 2016 Olympic program.
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