Belarus has no plans to boycott Olympics – ministerJuly 26, 2012 - 13:52 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Belarus has no plans to boycott the Olympics after President Alexander Lukashenko was refused entry to Britain, RIA Novosti reported citing the Belarusian minister for sports and tourism. Lukashenko was denied accreditation because of the flawed presidential elections of 2010, when he was accused of overseeing a brutal crackdown on opposition forces, arresting hundreds of people including presidential candidates, the British Embassy in Belarus said. Lukashenko is also head of Belarus’ Olympic Committee and visited the last Olympics in Beijing, but the London Games do not give him an exemption from an existing European Union travel ban, the embassy said. “The planned work to prepare for taking part in the Games is continuing,” Sports and Tourism Minister Vladimir Nestrerovich said when asked about rumored boycott plans. “There’s absolutely no desire to waste energy on anything that is not related to the main task.” The Olympics start in London on Friday, July 27, and run until August 12. Lukashenko sent off his Olympic team to London earlier this month, setting them a target of 25 medals. Labeled by the United States as Europe's last dictator, he also said the games were "politicized." Top stories Armenian gymnast, Olympic bronze medalist Artur Davtyan has reached the finals of the World Cup. Gor Manvelyan has denied reports alleging that he has expressed a desire to one day play for the French national team. Roma midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan is not considering FC Spartak Moscow as his next haven, according to fresh reports. 10 Armenian lifters will compete in the 2021 World Championships scheduled to be held from 7 to 17 December in Tashkent. Partner news | Your home is in Armenia – Ameriabank offers mortgage loans for the Diaspora To buy real estate, Diasporans can apply to Ameriabank online to buy, renovate or build a home anywhere in Armenia. Armenia-Qatar ties discussed in Doha The Secretary of Armenia’s Security Council met with the Deputy Secretary General of the National Security Council of Qatar. ARARAT special evening dedicated to Aznavour's 100th Anniv. On May 20 ARARAT legendary Armenian brandy, celebrated the centennial of Maestro Charles Aznavour with a special event. Surveying works underway in Armenia’s Kirants Surveying works are underway in the Armenian village of Kirants in the northern Tavush province. |