Paris Paralympics medalists honored in Belarus
MINSK, 13 November (BelTA) — The Belarusian Sport and Tourism Ministry hosted a ceremony to honor the medalists of the 2024 Summer Paralympic Games in Paris, BelTA has learned.
Money certificates were presented to 2024 Games five-time champion and 21-time Paralympic champion Ihar Boki, 2024 Paris gold medalist Yahor Shchalkanau and silver medalist Dzmitry Salei (all – swimming). Coaches and sport specialists, as well as doctors and masseurs of the national team were also financially rewarded. Maksim Vashkevich (swimming) and Lizaveta Dabravolskaya (javelin throwing), swimmers Anastasiya Zudzilava and Yauheni Kavalionak and track and field athlete Uladzislau Hryb were also awarded the honorary diplomas of the Sport and Tourism Ministry.
“Only eight of our Paralympians performed in Paris and they produced great performance winning a total of seven medals. Many thanks to the athletes, coaches and all those who contributed to this success, including relatives and fans,” Belarusian Sport and Tourism Minister Sergei Kovalchuk said. “I would like to express my special gratitude to Ihar Boki, who proved his high class once again. The French have been diligently preparing for the Games. A huge number of fans cheered for them on the stands. It was very pleasant to watch our athlete beating them.”
Great attention is paid to parasports in Belarus, the minister stressed. “People with disabilities are the same athletes as any others. They should have equal conditions for training and competitions. A new world-class swimming pool has recently been opened in Minsk. Such a facility is of great significance for the country, as it will help Belarus bring its swimming sport to a new level. I am convinced that the winning streak will continue at the Los Angeles Games in four years.”
