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Medal winners of 1960, 1980 Olympics honored at ceremony in Minsk

Champions and medal winners of the 1960 Rome Olympics and the 1980 Moscow Olympics were honored at a ceremony held at the Alimpiyski sports and training complex in Minsk on Thursday.

The retired athletes were presented with commemorative medals and badges.

“We are very happy that the nation remembers us, remembers its heroes,” said Syarhey Makaranka, 1960 Olympic rowing champion. “We’ve been greeted by the leadership of our country and awarded medals from our Olympic community.”

The ceremony featured pop star Janet and other Belarusian singers.

Participating in the event were Ihar Zaichkaw, presidential aide in charge of physical training, sports and the development of tourism and first vice president of the National Olympic Committee; NOC Vice President Syarhey Tsyatseryn; and Viktar Putskow, chairman of the Belarusian Association of Retired Athletes.