By Nikolai Stulo: At the moment, Belarus’ first Rhythmic Gymnastics Palace is being built. It is expected to open on 8 March. International Women's Day as a deadline is not a coincidence – of all sports, it is rhythmic gymnastics that has brought the biggest amount of international awards.
Head coach Irina Lenparskaya has been in charge of the national team for 21 years. Recently, she celebrated her professional anniversary – 500 medals have been claimed during this period. After the FIG Rhythmic Gymnastics World Challenge Cup 2017 in Minsk, there are now 514 medals.
Yesterday, the Belarusian President received President of the International Gymnastics Federation Morinari Watanabe. Alexander Lukashenko stated that Belarus intends to return to the elite of world gymnastics and asked Morinari Watanabe for assistance in further promoting gymnastics in the country. President Lukashenko also noted that Belarus is ready to host competitions of the highest level and advised to reduce subjectivity in gymnastics to zero.
Apart from gymnastics, Alexander Lukashenko and Morinari Watanabe also discussed other matters. Belarus has a world-class infrastructure and has already hosted the largest hockey and cycling competitions, and now, it is preparing to host its largest sports project – the Second European Games. Morinari Watanabe also noted he is fond of skiing. He received an invitation to visit Belarus in winter and to master biathlon.
The World Cup stage in Minsk means that the world’s gymnastic elite has come to Belarus—106 athletes from 21 countries. The Belarusians have 10 awards and it is obvious that the succession of generations is running smoothly. On the podium, Melita Stanyuta was replaced by Ekaterina Galkina and Alina Gornosko.
Together with Morinari Watanabe, the Vice President of the International Gymnastics Federation – the famous Olympic champion Nellie Kim also came to the meeting with the President. As a gymnast, she made her career in Belarus and is known in history as the first athlete who received the highest score at the Olympics – 10 points.
At the end of the meeting, Alexander Lukashenko presented an honorary sign of the Belarusian National Olympic Committee for achievements in the development of the Olympic movement in the Republic of Belarus to Morinari Watanabe. He also presented the Order of the National Olympic Committee to Nellie Kim.
