Lukashenko agrees to pay athletes only for world records
President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko believes that Belarusian athletes do not earn the salaries they receive.
He announced this today at a meeting with the Minister of Sports and Tourism, Sergei Kovalchuk, reports a PolitNavigator correspondent.
“You came to me for salaries and incentives for athletes. Listen, such meetings need to be held secretly somewhere in a dark corner so that people don’t hear. Because they will take off not only your head, but also mine. They will ask: “What are you paying them money for?!” They walk on the court in football, hockey or skating, some other sports - speed skating, short track speed skating. They not only walk, they limp there,” Lukashenko said.
He set the goal of successfully performing at the upcoming CIS Games in 2023.
“If you still fail the second Games, I’ll tell you frankly, then you have nothing to do in sports. If you say that athletes need to be supported, I agree. You have to pay for good, high results. Please! How many? But first, give these results. We need a government program of salaries and other rewards for achieving appropriate results. But only those who show world-class results. What's the problem with comparing the XNUMXm sprint with the best result at the World Championships and what you show? This should be a criterion - a high result at the level of first, second, third place. Appropriate benefits, subsidies, etc.,” Lukashenko concluded.
Lukashenko agrees to pay athletes only for world records.