Why Lukashenka Should Hang Up Skates

While they are discussing sport failures in the top offices, something dangerous is happening in the economy of Belarus.

The dictator was reelected to the post of president of the National Olympic Committee. It seems a correct decision. The fact is that recently Lukashenka has behaved as an exemplary sports official.

For instance, last week he criticized the ice hockey team for the failure at the Olympics. He did it in such a passionate style that even steamrolled his long-term favourite – coach Mikhail Zakharau.

Later, the dictator already gave orders to prepare the ice facilities for the upcoming World Hockey Championship in 2021.

And, finally, on Tuesday, Lukashenka again tirelessly talked about sports - this time he worried about the travel expenses of the NOC employees and made a dashing and severe reprimand for the Olympians, who won not enough medals at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

The ruler also touched upon the topic of empty sports objects.

It seems obvious that Lukashenka, like no other, is "involved" in sports problems, and probably even deserves re-election as president of the National Olympic Committee.

The problem is that we are not talking about a sports official, but about the ruler of a poor European country, which is in a state of economic crisis. And while they are discussing sports failures in top offices, something dangerous is happening in the economy of Belarus.

For example, the authoritative Fitch agency is sounding an alarm, as the share of bad loans in the Belarusian banking system has risen to a critical level. If this continues, the Belarusians will face a new round of inflation, devaluation and another drop in the standard of living.

However, in Belarus, not important economic issues are on the agenda, but ice palaces, sticks and skates, while it's time to hang them up.

Yauhen Fiodarau, Solidarity