VITEBSK, 29 July (BelTA) - More than 40 athletes from Vitebsk Oblast are preparing for the Summer Olympics 2012 in London, the deputy head of the Physical Education, Sport and Tourism Department of the Vitebsk Oblast Executive Committee Piotr Nemenenok told reporters. Vitebsk may be represented at the Olympics in 15 sports. Six athletes have already qualified: Marina Domantsevich (marathon), Elena Matoshko (hammer throw), Maria Arzamasova (800 m), Alina Talai (100m hurdles), Natalia Mikhnevich (shot put), Ivan Trotsky (20km walking). Nikita Bukatkin and Dmitry Gushchenko have booked their tickets to the Olympics as part of Belarus’ national football team. In addition, there are a number of athletes who demonstrate good results in competitions. “There are still a lot of Olympic qualifying tournaments ahead. So it is possible that the number of athletes from Vitebsk Olympic on Belarus’ team at the upcoming Summer Olympics may increase,” said Piotr Nemenenok. All necessary conditions have been created in the region so that athletes could train ahead of the Olympic Games, said Piotr Nemenenok. Nearly 30 athletes receive scholarships from the Vitebsk Oblast Executive Committee. All in all, the regional authorities have instituted 140 scholarships for promising athletes. In 2010, almost Br410 million from the regional budget was spent for these purposes and for rewards to coaches. In addition, 18 athletes receive scholarships from the Presidential Sports Club. The NOC Office in Vitebsk also provides targeted financial support to well-known athletes and talented young athletes, for whom seven scholarships were instituted in 2011.

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