Press Secretary of the President of Belarus Natalia Eismont told Life that the Belarusian Paralympians had to rotate the whole operation to the Russian flag appeared at the Paralympics in Rio.
As it turned out, the tricolor which millions of viewers around the world saw in the hands of Andrew Fomochkin, was “spare”, and the look was very different. Idea for a Paralympic team, to carry the Russian flag were not members of the official delegation and athletes in wheelchairs.
– The stadium was supposed to look different. As you know, the first arena left the standard-bearer of our toamandy, javelin thrower Alexander Trypuc. It was followed by another five athletes in wheelchairs. So, according to our idea, they had to deploy next to the stadium two flags – Russian and Belarusian, – said Eismont in an exclusive interview.
– But local sporting officials are already before leaving for the field, seized the flags at people in wheelchairs. It is good that the members of the delegation had anticipated such a reaction and they had a backup plan.
When the Russian flag was seized from members of the Belarusian team, the case remained for small – unbeknownst to all, to carry on the “Maracana” for the second flag, which was hidden at the head of the Republican center of the Olympic preparation for track and field athletics Andrey Fomochkin.
– This flag was his grougi, or shirt, or under a jacket… in an Unknown way he still managed to carry it discreetly and deploy during the ceremony, she explained.
– Wheelchair users were to carry the flags of Russia and Belarus at the head of the delegation. But, international sports officials are not thinking twisted our Olympians in wheelchairs, took from them the flags and not let the people quietly and peacefully Express their opinions. This fact angered many, especially angered the President of our country, – said Eismont.
