In terms of the number of international sports awards, the Vitebsk region ranks 2nd in the republic

Last year, sports Vitebsk region can be considered a success, both in terms of high achievements and the development of the physical culture movement. However, there are many tasks for the future, as noted at the meeting of the department of sports and tourism of the regional executive committee.

Under the sign of the Olympics

The year brought us very good results in the international arena, - reminded the head of the department Vasily Zakharevich. Of course, the main sporting event was the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, where the pupils of the Vitebsk trampoline school, under the guidance of the national team's head coach Olga Vlasova, showed brilliant results.

Vladislav Goncharov is the only Belarusian athlete to win a gold medal, and Anna Gorchenok reached the final. Weightlifter Vadim Streltsov took a silver medal. Weightlifter Daria Pochobut, Paralympians Andrey Pranevich and Grigory Zudilov, water skier Anna Streltsova, and others performed with dignity.

As a result, 15 athletes were awarded the title of master of sports of international class. By decree of the President, our Olympians and their coaches were awarded the Order of Fatherland, III degree. In addition to trampoline, the region leads in water skiing, adaptive sports, weightlifting, and kayaking and canoeing in terms of achievements in international competitions.

Deputy Minister of Sports and Tourism Mikhail Portnoy noted that the year's results indicate that the sports industry in our region is developing in the right direction.

The young generation is also catching up with the leaders: over 21,000 athletes are undergoing training in educational and sports institutions. However, the meeting raised the pressing issue of rejuvenating coaching staff. With all due respect to

veterans should be given the opportunity to develop, as well as young promising mentors. At the same time, local leaders should not forget about material incentives.

A Base is Needed for Results

Both victories in the international arena and the improvement of people's health largely depend on the created infrastructure. Among the recently commissioned facilities in the region are the weightlifting hall in Vitebsk, the sports and recreation complex with a swimming pool in Shumilino, a large-scale reconstruction of the sports and recreation complex in Senno, the Novopolotsk Palace of Water Sports "Sadko", and a modern scoreboard has been installed at the Vitebsk Central Sports Complex, along with a heated artificial football field.

Last year, during a meeting between the chairman of the regional executive committee, Nikolai Sherstnev, and trampolinists, the issue of the need to build a new specialized hall for this sport, which is significant for the city, was raised. This year, design documentation should be prepared and construction of the facility should begin.

Mass Participation Against Ailments

It is gratifying that the number of residents in the region involved in sports is steadily increasing year by year. Leaders are setting an example in this regard: the sports and tourism rallies for employees of state administration bodies have become a good tradition.

Street workout (performing exercises on parallel bars in outdoor sports grounds) and exercising in the fresh air are gaining popularity. For these purposes, special exercise equipment is being installed in courtyards and on the grounds of educational institutions. And not only in Vitebsk. For example, a set of equipment was installed at the stadium in Senno as part of the preparations for the regional "Dazhynki-2016" festival; such grounds are also available in Novopolotsk, Verkhnedvinsk, etc.

On

The collegium’s traditions concluded with a pleasant ceremony of awarding the best athletes and coaches with certificates of honor of the republican and regional levels.

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Yes, in terms of results, the year turned out quite well, however, there is no time to rest on our laurels: the main focus is now on preparing athletes for the Winter Olympics, which will be held next year in the Republic of Korea.

Ales Byńkov, "Vitebskiye Vesti". Photos from the archives of BELTA and "Vitebskiye Vesti".