By Duncan Mackay

The National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Belarus organised for medalists to take part in Forest Week 2015 ©NOC RBSeveral Olympic medallists have taken part in a campaign organised by the The National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Belarus (NOC RB) to play a leading role in the Forest Week 2015. 


The scheme, run in conjunction with the country's Agriculture Ministry, is designed to help keep Belarus' forest and woodlands clean and encourage development in the areas.  

The event was held as part of celebrations of the 70th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, due to officially take place on May 9 and which marks the Soviet Union's victory over Germany.

Canoeists Dmitry Dovgalenok,  a winner in the C-2 500 metres at Barcelona 1992, and Sergei Makarenko, who won in the C-2 1000m at Rome 1960, joined fellow gold medallist Ellina Zvereva, the Sydney 2000 discus champion, in taking part in the project. 

They were joined by NOC RB first vice-president Maxim Ryzhenkov and secretary general Anatoly Kotov and other officials in planting 100 young firs in the village of Stankovo.

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