OREANDA-NEWS. July 18, 2008. Ivan Tikhon, the three-time world champion in hammer throwing, will be the captain of the Belarusian Olympic team in Beijing. This decision was made at a meeting of the Olympic team that was held in the Belarusian Ministry of Sport and Tourism on July 18. His candidacy was suggested by chief of the Belarusian Olympic mission in Beijing 2008 Alexander Grigorov.

“Ivan Tikhon is not only a three-time world champion, he is also an honest person, loved and recognized in Belarus and abroad,” Alexander Grigorov said.

As to the person who will bear the Belarusian flag at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, his/her name is not defined yet. NOC secretary general Georgy Katulin said. The final decision will be made in Beijing and will depend on how the athletes will feel and other circumstances.