Belarus

Highlights

Belarus first competed as an independent nation at a Summer Olympic Games at Atlanta 1996 but gymnast Vitali SCHERBO was the first to see his country's flag raised.

He won six gold medals representing the Unified Team at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona. He added four bronze medals in 1996.

Rower Ekaterina KARSTEN took gold in the women's single sculls at the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games and defended her title four years later at Sydney 2000. She added silver at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, and a bronze at Beijing 2008.

Belarus have also enjoyed success in canoeing. At Beijing 2008, brothers Andrey and Aleksandr BOGDANOVIC took gold in the men's kayak doubles 1000m, and Belarus also won gold in the men's kayak fours 1000m.

In the Soviet era, gymnast Olga KORBUT from Belarus won four gold medals over two Olympic Games (Munich 1972, Montreal 1976). Her routines inspired many across the world to take up gymnastics.

Svetlana BOGINSKAYA competed for the Soviet team in 1988 and also for the Unified Team in 1992. She won three gold medals.

Rhythmic gymnast Marina LOBACH won the inaugural gold medal at the Seoul 1988 Olympic Games as a member of the Soviet team.

Anthem: Title

My Bielarusy (We the Belarussians)

Anthem: Year of Induction

1955

Anthem: Composer

Music Nester SAKALOUSKI, words Mikhas KLIMKOVICH and Uladzimir KARYZNA.

Official NOC name

Belarus

IOC recognition date

1993

NOC President's name

HE Mr Alexandre LUKASHENKO

NOC General Secretary's name

Mr George KATULIN

Year of first appearance in an Olympic Games

1996

Number of appearances in Olympic Games

5, including London 2012

Summary of Olympic Games Appearances