Minsk, Belarus
Belarusian athletes must win 25 medals at the 2004 Summer Olympics, dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka said this week. “You should have clear-cut plans regarding these medals,” Lukashenka told two new incoming deputy sports ministers. “It is unacceptable to win fewer.” For the 2002 Winter Olympics, Lukashenka requested 10 medals, but the athletes only delivered one—a bronze in hockey. The sports minister was then fired.
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