Belarus' chief de mission comments on forthcoming Olympic Games

According to the chief de mission of the Belarusian delegation, the coronavirus restrictions are tough. Aleksandr Gagiyev stressed: “The coronavirus restrictions are even tougher in comparison with Tokyo. Everything is much stricter. There will be a certain inconvenience for both athletes and officials.”

According to Aleksandr Gagiyev, the NOC is already prepared for COVID-19 tests to be taken from luggage. According to him, there has already been a case with people sent to quarantine because of a virus found on hand luggage.

The chief de mission noted that a special equipment (the latest know-how) would be installed at the NOC. “Athletes' luggage will be gathered at the NOC for disinfection. This equipment has a special certificate. Then the luggage will be wrapped in film. We will do our best to minimize exposure to the coronavirus at least this way,” stressed Aleksandr Gagiyev.

He also said that he expects the Belarusian athletes will do great at the Olympics. He added however that there was no pre-Olympic week because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“For example, we are much concerned about the facility, which no one has seen. The track is unfamiliar, no one has tried it. There was no pre-Olympic week because of COVID-19. We do not know what to expect there,” the chief de mission said. At the same time he noted that China promises one of the best Olympics ever.

Aleksandr Gagiyev stressed that the main task for today is to reach Beijing. Then there will be the time to set medal goals. “Today the main task is to fly to the Olympics. When we are in full lineup there, we will be able to proceed to another task of preparing for the competitions,” Aleksandr Gagiyev said.