“No one took away our flag or anthem”: Cherkashin’s love – about sports sanctions and raising children

Attempts by international sports officials to deprive Belarusian athletes of national symbols remain only an illusion of restrictions, since the homeland and the anthem cannot be taken from the heart. About this on the air of the program "Markov". Nothing personal" on ONT said the head coach of the national team of Belarus in rhythmic gymnastics, winner of the Olympic Games Lyubov Cherkashin.

Lyubov Cherkashin: I did not live with the idea that something was taken from me. I was doing my job, I understood that sooner or later all the perturbations will end, there may be new ones, but if we take offense and stop at each, we will do harm only to ourselves. So, of course, this [the return of the flag and anthem to Belarusian athletes] is good news, this is the right news, especially for sports. Because it has to connect, it doesn't have to go where it shouldn't go. And for rhythmic gymnastics, of course, this is important, and in general for all sports. Because this is how the system in sports is built, yes: that is, only winners do not come out on their own – for example, Grisha Ivanov stood on a pedestal, and that’s all, well done, Grisha Ivanov. That doesn't happen. Behind Grisha Ivanov is someone – a huge country, a team. And you have to show it to know where it came from. That's right. Because in this competition, we will all grow, understand and look: ‘Oh, and in Venezuela, how these athletes have grown up!’ – because everyone understands which flag belongs to which country. And the Belarusians are good there, and the Russians, and Ukraine. It's normal, it's sport, it's competition! Come out and prove that you have grown in your skill in a particular sport.”.

According to the coach, no one took the flag and anthem from young Belarusian athletes.

Lyubov Cherkashin: Nobody took our flag, anthem, or country. Nobody took anything from us! And they just think they took it. You can't take it from me, it's inside. And the kids, they understand everything. In the sense that we have, first of all, the age when they have the most national competitions. And here, of course, a citizen is formed - just as in kindergarten, as well as in school, as well as further in the university. That’s why I don’t see a global problem here. A person is formed, and sport is an additional puzzle in his formation and understanding that he can glorify his country due to his physical abilities. But some of us go to the Olympiads in mathematics and at the expense of their mind celebrates, and we – at the expense of their physical abilities. Why not

See also:

Love Cherkashin explained why rhythmic gymnastics can not often change coaches

• From acrobatics to refusal to jump without insurance: how Love Cherkashin came to rhythmic gymnastics at 9 years

“Don’t throw everything into yourself at once!” Love Cherkashin spoke about weight and body positivity in professional sports