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Forty-nine Belarusian athletes to take part in Youth Olympic Games in Singapore this August

Forty-nine Belarusian athletes will take part in the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore between August 14 and 26, Heorhiy Katulin, secretary general of the National Olympic Committee, told reporters in Minsk on July 14, as quoted by BelaPAN.

More than 5,000 junior athletes are expected to participate in the first-ever Youth Olympics, with competitions to be held in 26 sports.

Belarus will be represented in 22 sports and the biggest medal hopes are pinned on weightlifters, gymnasts, wrestlers and rowers, Leanid Malashenka, chief of the Belarusian mission to the coming event, said at the news conference. "Big hopes are also pinned on athletes competing in pentathlon, shooting and trampolining," he said.

Mr. Katulin said that the Youth Olympics would not be only a sports event. "These Games will combine sports, education and culture. The Youth Olympics must act as a catalyst in these spheres of Olympic movement and prompt young people to play a more active role in their communities," he said.

The organizers expect all of the participating athletes to spend eight to 12 hours on taking part in cultural and educational programs during the Olympics.