Viktor Lukashenko, first vice-president of the National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Belarus (NOC RB), welcomed the participants and wished everyone well ahead of the New Year holiday.

"Over the years our wonderful event unites dignitaries of Belarus - our distinguished champions and Olympic medallists, their children and grandchildren," he said.

"I am sure that you, girls and boys, will follow in your parents and grandparents’ footsteps, and everyone will succeed in life since all the conditions for your success have been created in our country.

"Learn, develop, be obedient toward your eldest, and fortune will always be on your side.

"Let this bright holiday inspire our athletes towards new victories, that we expect from them at the Summer Olympic Games in 2020 in Tokyo."

The NOC RB annually participates in the charity event called "Our Children" and they also invited to the festivities pupils from the Rudensky auxiliary residential school and the Radoshkovichi boarding school for orphans and children left without parental care.

Charkashyna, who now coaches the Belarus national rhythmic gymnastics team, attended with her daughter Vera and husband Viktor Molashko, a former Belarusian footballer.

"I always like to start celebrating the approach of the New Year together with the NOC, at our Olympic Christmas tree," she said.

Andrei Aramnau, the 2007 world champion and 2008 Olympic champion weightlifter in the under-105 kilograms class, who won silver in the under-109 category at this year’s world and European Championships, said he welcomed the chance the event brought him to catch up with old colleagues and their families.

"We don't see each other so often, but at the Christmas tree you can exchange views on how the outgoing year has developed, the children get to know each other, and communicate so much," he said. 

“Twenty-nineteen was one of the most successful for me: I successfully performed at the European and world Championships, set many records, and most importantly, I had a son!

"I hope that next year, the Olympic year, will be no less intense, and athletes will be able to please everyone with high results."

In front of the New Year tree, the children were entertained by mascots from a range of Belarusian sport clubs.

The children and their parents also took part in an interactive programme games, quests and dances.

"Every year the NOC of Belarus, as the organiser of the Christmas Tree festival, tries to come up with something new and make the holiday even brighter and more spectacular," Dzmitry Dauhalionak, vice-president of the NOC RB, added.

"I hope that the mood of the “Olympic Christmas tree” will help our athletes to fulfil their dreams at the main competition of next year - the Olympics in Tokyo,"