Mr. Degtyarev congratulated his colleague on his re-election as President of the National Olympic Committee, noting that this indicates a high level of trust from the sports community in the Republic of Belarus. The ROC President called it extremely important that the IOC Executive Board considered the elections legitimate and reopened the access of the Belarus NOC to all the IOC Olympic Solidarity programs.
During the meeting with the President of the National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Belarus Michael Degtyarev invited Belarusian athletes to take part in the International Young Olympians Forum annually staged by the Russian Olympic Committee on June 1, the International Children’s Day.
The parties also agreed to sign an updated Memorandum of Cooperation during the International Sports Forum Russia – Country of Sports to be held in Samara this year.
During his visit to Minsk Mr. Degtyarev also participated in a joint meeting of the Collegiums of the Ministry of Sport of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Sport and Tourism of the Republic of Belarus.
The meeting addressed key issues of sports cooperation, including the development of educational programs, sports-related scientific research and cooperation in doping control. The participants agreed and signed the 2025 joint sports calendar. It includes competitions, training camps and research to practice conferences. The ROC and the Belarus NOC are committed to the continued expansion of joint activities within the Union State.
The fight against doping remains one of the priority areas of cooperation. Michael Degtyarev stressed that Russia and the Republic of Belarus are reliable allies of all international organizations, including the WADA. Recalling the International Anti-Doping Forum Clean Sport without Borders which took place in Minsk last September, the Minister of Sport and President of the ROC proposed to establish an international debate club of the BRICS countries focused on anti-doping science and education issues.
While actively working to return Russian and Belarusian athletes to the international arena, this format will become an important expert platform, demonstrating the openness of anti-doping systems of the two countries and readiness to cooperate with foreign partners.
As part of his business trip Michael Degtyarev took part in the opening ceremonies of the Biathlon Cup of the Strongest Athletes in Raubichi and the museum exhibition dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the Raubichi sports complex. The exhibition presents the achievements of Belarusian athletes in biathlon, freestyle, ice hockey, figure skating and speed skating.
The Cup of the Strongest Athletes is one of the four scheduled events in winter sports, which strengthen cooperation between Russia and Belarus in the training of athletes. The plan to hold the Cup of the Strongest Athletes in summer sports in 2025 was also approved. The program includes 15 competitions in track and field, weightlifting, swimming, cycling and others.
