Veteran canoeist Sergei Makarenko, right, is honoured on his 80th birthday with a medal presentation from Andrei Astashevich, the first vice-president of the Belarus NOC ©NOC Belarus

Belarus' first Olympic champion, Sergei Makarenko, turned 80 and was honoured with the medal of the National Olympic Committee of Belarus (NOC Belarus) for his "outstanding service".

The sprint canoeist, who is also a world champion and two-time European champion, is active in the development of sport in his home country.

He won the C2 1,000 metres title for the Soviet Union alongside Leonid Geishtor at the Rome 1960 Olympic Games.

Sergei Makarenko, second right, at the Rome 1960 Olympics where he won gold ©Wikipedia
Sergei Makarenko, second right, at the Rome 1960 Olympics where he won gold ©Wikipedia

The celebration of the canoeist took place in Minsk, at the headquarters of the NOC. 

The event was also attended by other Olympic champions and NOC members.

Makarenko received the award from first vice-president of the NOC, Andrei Astashevich, who thanked the famous athlete for active participation in the development of the Olympic Movement. 

He expressed hope that the cooperation will continue in the future.