Belarus Enjoys Banner Day At Sochi

Belarusians gold medalist Darya Domracheva (center) and bronze medalist Nadezhda Skardino (right) celebrate during the flower ceremony for the women's biathlon 15-kilometer individual event at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics on February 14.

Belarus was celebrating a major haul at the Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, after its athletes earned their second gold medal of the day, with a bronze medal to add to the count.

Darya Domracheva of Belarus won the women's biathlon 15-kilometer individual gold medal, followed by Swiss Selina Gasparin and fellow Belarusian Nadezhda Skardino.

It was Domracheva's second biathlon gold medal at the games, after her win in the 10-kilometer pursuit event on February 11.

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Hours later, Alla Tsuper won gold for Belarus in the women's aerials competition. Xu Mengtao of China took silver and Australia's Lydia Lassila took bronze.

Tsuper's gold left Belarus in seventh place in a ranking by gold medals, with three, and with four medals in all.

Belarusian authorities pledge some $150,000 for athletes who win Olympic gold, $75,000 for silver, and $50,000 for bronze.

Belarus won three medals in Vancouver in 2010.




Based on reporting by AFP and Reuters