Andrei Astashevich has been elected as the vice-president of the National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Belarus ©NOC RB

Andrei Astashevich has been elected as the vice-president of the National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Belarus (NOC RB).

Astashevich's election was confirmed at an NOC RB Executive Committee meeting, which was chaired by Natalya Kochanova, head of the administration of the President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko.

Lukashenko is also the NOC's President. 

Prior to his election, Astashevich addressed members of the Committee as well as department heads present at the meeting.

"Representation of Belarus in the international arena is not the only task of the NOC Belarus, but is also a lot of work within the Republic as well," he said.

"Development and promotion of sport and physical culture are among the priorities, as they appear a guarantee for an increasing number of people taking up sport.

"Federations are one of the cogs in this machine.

"Establishment of seamless interaction with federations, development of winter and summer sports, especially playing sports in view of mass involvement, are our principle tasks."

The meeting also saw discussions centre on preparations for the Pyeongchang 2018 and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Focus was then placed on arrangements for the 2019 European Games, which will take place in the country's capital Minsk.

Two-time Olympic football gold medallist Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak, centre, visited the NOC RB ©NOC RB
Two-time Olympic football gold medallist Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak, centre, visited the NOC RB ©NOC RB

The city was confirmed as host of the Games at the European Olympic Committees (EOC) General Assembly in Minsk in October.

The EOC had been searching for a host city since The Netherlands withdrew on the eve of Baku 2015.

Russia then dropped out of the running after the International Olympic Committee warned they would not support events there following allegations of state-sponsored doping.

The decision to host it in Minsk, though, was not unanimous with Denmark and Norway voting against it while five others, including Great Britain, abstained.

Activities of the NOC RB's Commissions and working groups, were also discussed.

The governing body also welcomed two-time Olympic football gold medallist Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak of the United States, and coach Zola Solamente.

The duo held a meeting with NOC RB secretary general Anatol Kotau and Women and Sport Commission secretary Kseniya Sankovich.