Heads of Belarus', Russia's Olympic committees meet in Minsk

A working meeting of the heads of the National Olympic Committee of Belarus and the Olympic Committee of Russia took place in Minsk, the press service of Belarus' NOC told BelTA.

Viktor Lukashenko and Stanislav Pozdnyakov discussed the expansion of cooperation in the development of physical training and sport. They also discussed interaction in conditions of external pressure and the political factors affecting rights and interests of Belarusian and Russian athletes. Participants of the meeting expressed disagreement with the decision of the European Olympic Committees not to allow young athletes to participate in winter and summer European junior Olympic festivals. They stressed all the necessary steps will be taken to protect rights of sportsmen.

Top officials of the Belarusian and Russian sport ministries also took part in the meeting.

Viktor Lukashenko remarked: “I am glad we've managed to gather in Minsk as such large sport delegations. At the meeting we've discussed the ways our countries can follow in order to develop sports in the current circumstances.”

Participants of the meeting discussed the participation of Russian athletes in a national forum of athletes, which is due in Minsk in late April, and the arrival of a Belarusian sport delegation at the annual forum of young Olympians, which Russia's Olympic Committee organizes in late May – early June.

The sides will continue talks in Minsk on 26 March.