26 July 2011
Fifty-three Belarusian athletes qualify for 2012 Olympics
MINSK, 25 July (BelTA) – Fifty-three athletes from Belarus have booked their tickets to the Olympic Games in London so far, BelTA learnt from the press service of the National Olympic Committee. Belarusians have booked Olympic berths in six sports. Table tennis (2): Vladimir Samsonov, Victoria Pavlovich. Shooting (4): Sergei Martynov (air rifle, prone shooting), Victoria Chaika, Konstantin Lukashyk (air pistol), and Andrei Kazak (pistol). Archery (1): Yekaterina Timofeyeva. Athletics (22): Stepan Rogovtsev, Anastasia Starovoitova, Marina Domantsevich, Olga Salevich (marathon), Ivan Trotsky, Denis Simanovich, Anastasia Yatsevich (20km walking), Andrei Mikhnevich, Pavel Lyzhin (shot putting), Pavel Kryvitski (hammer throwing), Maria Arzamasova, Ilona Usovich (800m), Svetlana Usovich (400m, 800m), Anis Ananenka (800m), Alina Talai (100m hurdles), Veronika Shutkova, Anastasia Mironchik-Ivanova (long jump), Anastasia Shvedova (pole vault), Natalia Vyatkina (triple jump), Natalia Mikhnevich, Nadezhda Ostapchuk (shot putting), Yelena Matoshko (hammer throwing). Swimming (6): Aleksandra Herasimenia (50m and 100m freestyle) and Sviatlana Khakhlova (50m freestyle), women’s 4x100m freestyle relay. Football: Men’s U-23 team (the roster may include three players older than 23). The upcoming events where athletes have a chance to qualify for the London Olympics include: European Modern Pentathlon Championships in (28 July - 1 August 2011, Medway, UK); top eight finishers will be awarded a place in the 2012 Olympic Games in London. ISSF European Championships 25, 50, 300m, Shotgun (July 31 - August 14, 2011, Belgrade, Serbia). The 30th Summer Olympic Games will be held in London from 27 July to 12 August 2012. Belarusian athletes are expected to win 25 Olympic medals, five of them being gold medals. Prize money for winning an Olympic medal has been increased: $150,000 for gold, $75,000 for silver, $50,000 for a bronze medal. In addition, about 500 Belarusian athletes have qualified for the presidential scholarships.БЕЛТА