180 Belarusian athletes became candidates for participation in the first Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in 2010

December 4, Vitebsk / Sergei Kotovets - BELTA /. 180 Belarusian athletes have become candidates for participation in the first Summer Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in 2010, said Deputy Minister of Sports and Tourism Dmitry Shichko at the republican seminar of the National Olympic Committee of Belarus, which took place today in Vitebsk. All contenders are students of children's and youth sports schools and Olympic reserve schools. Potentially, no more than 123 athletes and no more than two teams of different genders in team sports can win the right to participate in the Games from one country. "In our situation, 70 domestic athletes can win the right to participate in the Games," said Dmitry Shichko. The selection of participants for the Games began in March 2009 and will end in May next year. According to experts, Belarusian athletes will be able to win about 30 licenses in individual sports, and subsequently claim medals in weightlifting, rowing, canoeing and kayaking, Greco-Roman wrestling, boxing, and triathlon. "But it is very difficult to predict due to the age of the athletes, who also have not yet participated in competitions of this level," noted Dmitry Shichko. One crew in rowing, two athletes in canoeing and kayaking, one judoka, and a team of four swimmers have already won the right to participate in the Games, provided they meet the qualification standards. Belarusian teams in basketball, volleyball, handball, field hockey, and triathlon have not yet passed the selection. The selection of participants in 19 sports will take place in 2010. "By June 1, 2010, the NOC commission must submit proposals for the roster of the Belarusian delegation for the Games in Singapore for approval by the NOC Executive Committee," said Dmitry Shichko. Work is also underway to prepare young athletes for participation in the first Winter Youth Olympic Games in Innsbruck in 2012. About 160 athletes in 10 winter sports have already been selected, who will be able to compete for the right to participate in the Olympics. The first Summer and Winter Youth Olympic Games are held by decision of the IOC. The Summer Olympics in Singapore will take place from August 10 to 28, 2010, with the participation of over 3,500 athletes (aged 14 to 18) in 30 sports. The program of the Youth Games is limited to 201 disciplines. In accordance with the "Doping Control" program, all athletes will have to undergo a system of mandatory doping tests. Along with the sports competitions, an extensive cultural and educational program will be organized at the Olympics, the purpose of which is to introduce young athletes to the Olympic values, expand cooperation, strengthen friendship and mutual understanding between athletes from different countries, as well as discuss fundamental issues of sports development.-0-