A memorial sign in honor of Marina Shkermanova was unveiled on the Alley of Olympic Fame in Vitebsk

A commemorative sign in honor of Marina Shkermanova has been unveiled on the Alley of Olympic Glory in Vitebsk, a BELTA correspondent reports. The festive event was attended by representatives of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee and the Vitebsk City Executive Committee, the National Olympic Committee, famous athletes, schoolchildren, and the public of the regional center. "Three years ago, in December 2009, when this alley was opened, it was said that it was large, and we would gladly fill it with commemorative signs bearing the names of outstanding athletes.

It is gratifying that such events in honor of the sports victories of Vitebsk region representatives at prestigious competitions occur periodically. The unveiling of the commemorative sign in honor of Marina Shkermanova, who won bronze at the XXX Olympic Games in London, is one of them," said Viktor Bynkov, Executive Director of the National Olympic Committee of Belarus representative office in the Vitebsk region. "With this event, we want to emphasize the significance of Marina Shkermanova's achievement for the Vitebsk region and Belarus as a whole, as well as to inspire young Olympians and all the children gathered here today to actively participate in sports and strive for high results," noted Viktor Bynkov. Marina Shkermanova expressed sincere words of gratitude to the representatives of the authorities, the NOC, and her sports mentors. "This is our common victory," emphasized the athlete, promising to make every effort to achieve new successes. Weightlifter Marina Shkermanova brought the first medal of the XXX Summer Olympic Games to the Belarusian team's collection. In the weight category up to 69 kg, she won a bronze medal, scoring a total of 256 kg in the two-event (113 kg snatch + 143 kg clean and jerk). Prior to this success, the 22-year-old athlete had twice become the European Junior Champion and had won silver and bronze medals at the European Youth Championships. The stele with Marina Shkermanova's named Olympic medal became the 22nd on the Alley of Olympic Glory of Vitebsk region.

The alley is located on the grounds near the Central Sports Complex in the regional center. Its main element is stylized personal medals of Vitebsk athletes who became champions and prize-winners of the Olympic Games in different years. Among them are Vadim Devyatovsky, Natalia Mikhnevich, Viktor Zuev, Anna Batyushko, Igor Kanygin, Vyacheslav Yanovsky, Tamara Lazakovich, and other outstanding athletes. The project was implemented by the representative office of the NOC of Belarus in the Vitebsk region with the support of the regional executive committee and the city executive committee.