The offer of the President of Belarus to the Olympians: “Smash them in the face”

Russia and Belarus are left on the sidelines of the world because of the war in Ukraine.

However, the International Olympic Committee has allowed some athletes from the aggressor country and other dictatorial states that support it to compete in this year’s Olympic Games in Paris with a neutral status.

15 minutes already wrote that there is confusion in the community of Russian sports and officials, because some Russians want to compete in the Games, others cannot because of dependence on military structures, and others urge not to go without their anthem and flag. Vladimir Putin has not expressed his opinion clearly, and without the Kremlin’s instructions, it is even more difficult for Russian sports officials to make decisions.

Belarusian dictator Aliaksandr Lukashenka has now expressed his opinion.

Vida Press photo/Alexander Lukashenka and Vladimir Putin

Although Russian and Belarusian propaganda likes to say that sports should not be confused with politics, A.Lukashenka served not only as the president of the country but also of the Belarusian Olympic Committee from 1997 to 2021.

Three years ago, new elections were held, and the post of the head of the country’s sports went to A. Lukashenko’s son Viktor Lukashenko.

Scanpix/AP Photo/Viktor Lukashenka

Now A.Lukashenka expressed his position on the participation of Belarusians in the Olympic Games in a language that does not necessarily correspond to the Olympic spirit.

“It’s a matter for the athletes. Of course, we would like everything to be as it should be: the coat of arms, the flag and everything else. But the life of athletes is very short. I am not pushing for either option. But if you’ve already passed the selection and you’re going there in a neutral status – “smack them in the face”, show that you’re a real Belarusian. We must not give up,” A. Lukashenko was quoted as saying by “Belarus Segodnia”.