Agrik has become the mascot of the Belarusian team for “Erzurum-2017”

On February, 10 a festive ceremony dedicated to the send-off of the Belarusian sports delegation for the winter European Youth Olympic Festival 2017 in Erzurum (Turkey) took place in the headquarters of the National Olympic Committee (the NOC of the Republic of Belarus). Agrik has become the mascot of the Belarusian team for the fifth time.

Members of the Belarusian sports delegation, representatives of the National Olympic Committee of Belarus, the general sponsor of the NOC JSC Belagroprombank as well as UNICEF took part in the festive ceremony

The Vice-president of the NOC of the Republic of Belarus, President of Skating Union of Belarus Nikolay Ananyev in his speech emphasized the support of the sponsors in the process of preparation for competitions as well as wished young sportsmen not only to demonstrate their capacities at the Festival but surpass personal records.

The Deputy Chairman of the Board of JSC Belagroprombank Siarhei Chuhai wished young sportsmen luck and said with certainty that Agrik would become a real mainstay towards the winnings

-We have been supporting Belarusian sportsmen as the general sponsor of the National Olympic Committee over a period of several years, - the Deputy Chairman of the Board of JSC Belagroprombank Siarhei Chuhai mentioned. – According to the tradition, Agrik, the symbol of the savings programme for kids “Grow happy!”, becomes the mascot of the Belarusian team. We are sure that once again it will bring luck to you and become a real mainstay towards the pedestal. We hope that in the nearest future because of winnings you will be able to fill the gallery of Olympic champions whose portraits are situated in the Hall of Olympic Fame of the NOC.

All the members of the Belarusian Olympic delegation were presented with Agrik toys

A young athlete Svetlana Andreuk

- I believe that mascots bring luck and today we are presented with Agrik – said the member of the national team of cross-country skiing Svetlana Andreuk. – It is so cheerful, it energizes and gives positive emotions. I do not doubt that Agrik will become my new mascot and help to achieve high results at the festival.

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The European Youth Olympic festival will be held from the 11th of February till the 18th of February. Sportsmen from 50 European countries at the age of 14 to 18 will take part in competitions. The Belarusian team of 43 athletes will be presented in six sports from nine possible: biathlon, cross-country skiing, short track, slalom, ice hockey and figure skating. Besides, the medals will be given in ski jumping, curling and snowboard. The first winter festival was held in Aosta (Italy) in 1993. Since 2001 at winter festivals Belarusian sportsmen have won seven medals, among them two gold, one silver and four bronze medals.

While young Olympians will be competing for medals, supporters such as winners and prize-winners of the Republican drawing contest "Olympic Flame lights hearts" will cheer on in Belarus.

In the picture from the left to the right: the representative of UNICEF in the Republic of Belarus Dr. Rashed Mustafa, the Head of Marketing and PR Department of JSC Belagroprombank Tatiana Sidorenya, the prize-winner of the drawing contest "Olympic Flame lights hearts", the Vice-president of the NOC of the Republic of Belarus Nikolay Ananyev

Following the results the contest jury, as a part of which there was also the Head of Marketing and PR Department of JSC Belagroprombank Tatiana Sidorenya, has defined winners in three categories. And today each of them has been presented with the special prizes from the NOC of Belarus, UNICEF and the general sponsor of the NOC – JSC Belagroprombank.