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.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Foreigners in Spain facing a 100% tax on homes as the country battles a housing crisisUnder the Radar The goal is to provide 'more housing, better regulation and greater aid,' said Spain's prime minister
-
Codeword: January 22, 2025The Week's daily codeword puzzle
-
Sudoku medium: January 22, 2025The Week's daily medium sudoku puzzle
