To participants of the 29^th Olympic Games in Beijing (China)

Dear friends,

Olympic Games are the world’s principal sport event.

For the eighth time the national team of our young sovereign state will participate in them. The previous performances of the Belarusian Olympians were successful: 56 athletes became the prise-winners of the Games, having won 53 Olympic medals. This is a good result.

I am confident that at the Beijing Games you will manage to achieve high results and earn more Olympic prises; that you will add to the glory of legendary Belarusian sportsmen and add new bright pages to the chronicle of the international Olympic movement; uphold the prestige of the domestic sport by securing for Belarus a place among the world’s strongest sports countries.

An Olympic victory is the best presentation for a country and a source of pride for all the Belarusians.

The State pays great attention to the development of sport. Marvellous modern-day sports facilities are being built. Sport is becoming increasingly popular among young people. The fact that this year has been declared the Year of Health services as another evidence of the significance attached to sport in our society.

You, dear Olympians, have been honoured to represent our republic at the 29^th Olympic Games in Beijing. It is honourable and challenging.

We believe in you. And we hope that your determination to win, perseverance, hard work, willpower and skills will help you reach the top of the Olympus.

I wish you good health, cheerfulness and confidence in your victory.

Good luck!

Alexander Lukashenko