Today the Minister of Sport of the Russian Federation Oleg Matytsin held a meeting of the working group of the Ministry of Sport of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Sport and Tourism of the Republic of Belarus. Rector of the Volga Region State University of Physical Culture, Sports and Tourism Rafis Burganov took part in the meeting.

The working group meeting was held within the framework of preparation of the joint meeting of the boards of the Ministry of Sport of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Sport and Tourism of the Republic of Belarus, scheduled for 25-26 March in Minsk. The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Sport and Tourism of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Baraulia, representatives of sports departments of Russia and Belarus, as well as heads of Belarusian sports federations and Olympic training centres.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the prospects and priority areas of cooperation between the two countries in the context of the suspension of Russian and Belarusian athletes from participating in international sporting events, and considered the possibility of holding alternative international sports competitions involving athletes from other countries.

- Today it is more important than ever for us to show solidarity and give each other a shoulder at all levels. In these conditions, it is necessary to consolidate efforts, share more experience and knowledge accumulated in our countries. Moreover, our athletes, coaches, specialists and industry leaders have always acted as a united front. At the joint meeting of the boards in Minsk, specific decisions will be taken to continue joint work.

I would like to express my great gratitude to the President of the Republic of Belarus and the Ministry of Sport for making the decision to allow the Belarusian team to participate in the Winter Paralympic Games "We are together. Sport", the opening of which will take place on 18 March in Khanty-Mansiysk. This once again confirms the fact that our countries are in favour of clean and fair sport, that the principles of Olympism are not violated, and that no athlete is discriminated against. The International Paralympic Committee committed a flagrant violation by not allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in the Paralympic Winter Games in Beijing. But this is a fait accompli, and we are thinking about the future. I am sure that the Games in Khanty-Mansiysk will not be a single event, but will be built into a whole complex of various competitions to be held in the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus," said Oleg Matytsin.

In addition, the participants of the meeting discussed the format of joint competitions and training events, including the possibility of participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in national competitions of each country.

- We will protect the interests of athletes as much as possible, including from the legal side. But at the same time, we are not going into isolation, but continue co-operation, because there are reasonable voices in the international sports community, and many sports figures say that discriminatory measures have been taken against Belarusian and Russian sports. We hope that our teams will return to international sport as soon as possible," said Oleg Matytsin.

Deputy Minister of Sport and Tourism of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Baraulia emphasised that the purpose of the visit is the interests of athletes and coaches.

- The main purpose of our visit is to respect the interests of athletes and coaches, because in the current situation they have suffered the most. It is very important for us that they realise that no one will be abandoned and competitions will be held, that this is only a temporary period, and by joint efforts we will become even stronger. Besides, this is a unique opportunity to look at our internal reserves. We have the opportunity to be stronger, to be together," Baraulia stated.

During the meeting, the parties summarised the results of the negotiations between the heads of the national sports federations of the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation. The parties exchanged proposals on the calendar plan and holding joint competitions both in Belarus and the Russian Federation. As a result of the meeting, it was decided to prepare a register of sports goods and equipment produced in the two countries. Scientific developments of both states will be actively used to create new inventory and equipment.

The delegation of the Republic of Belarus is in Moscow on a working visit. The heads of the Belarusian sports federations of football, volleyball, hockey, track and field athletics, swimming, wrestling, speed skating, biathlon and Olympic training centres held meetings with their Russian counterparts during the visit.

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