Paralympic champion Svetlana Sakhanenko became an honorary citizen of Novopolotsk

Outstanding biathletes Irina Krivko and Svetlana Sakhonenko were honored in Novopolotsk. The heroines of the XXIII Olympic and XII Paralympic Games in Pyeongchang were met with ovations, thanked for their brilliant victories, which became the main gift to the city in the year of its 60th anniversary.

Svetlana Sakhonenko was born in the oil city, graduated from Secondary School No. 7, and then from the Novopolotsk Olympic Reserve College.

The character of Irina Krivko, a native of Senno, was also forged in this same forge of sports personnel. She later continued her education at the sports and pedagogical faculty of Polotsk State University.

Therefore, the residents of Novopolotsk followed the Olympic successes of their countrywomen with special excitement and, of course, could not fail to express their admiration for them, inviting them to a ceremony of honor at the city executive committee.

On behalf of all the residents of the city, the champions were sincerely congratulated by the Chairman of the Novopolotsk City Executive Committee, Dmitry Demidov, who heads the local branch of the Belarusian Biathlon Federation.

– We know how fierce the competitive struggle was to win these medals, but your determination, courage, and will to win allowed you to achieve outstanding results. You are our pride. Honor and glory to you! – said Dmitry Vladimirovich. He emphasized that the Olympic victories of our athletes inspire the nation, unite and rally the residents of all of Belarus.

According to the Chairman of the Novopolotsk City Council of Deputies, Oleg Buevich, our biathletes set an example of true patriotism for the younger generation, showing what hard work underlies high sports achievements.

By the way, future Olympic hopes were also present in the hall, including students from the Novopolotsk Olympic Reserve School, winners and prize-winners of republican and international competitions Alexander Koshin, Daria Kudaeva, Karina Anufrienko, Svyatoslav Zaichenko. Wishing their titled fellow countrywomen new brilliant victories, the students stated that they too are quite capable of giving their native country impressive world records.

The most exciting part of the ceremony was the awarding of the heroines of the occasion. Svetlana Sakhonenko was awarded the title of "Honorary Citizen of Novopolotsk". Irina Krivko received an Honorary Diploma from the City Council of Deputies.

The mothers of the athletes, who were thanked by those present for raising their daughters with dignity, also did not go unnoticed. In addition, flowers and gifts were presented to coaches Natalia Leshchenko, Vasily Leshchenko, Inessa Kozlova, under whose guidance the champions began their ascent to Olympus.

In their response, Irina Krivko and Svetlana Sakhonenko admitted that they were overwhelmed with emotions: when you see such a warm welcome from your fellow countrymen, you realize that you have done something important in your life. The girls expressed their immense gratitude to everyone who supported them on their way to Olympic medals, and advised the young athletes to set high goals and persistently strive to achieve them.

"Vitebskiye vesti". Photos by newspapers "Vitebskiye vesti" and "Novopolotsk segodnya".