Ice hockey is one of the fastest team sports in the world. Players skate at speeds up to 50 kilometres per hour, and the puck — the hard rubber disc they hit with their sticks — can travel at over 150 kilometres per hour. Everything happens in seconds, and players need to make decisions almost faster than they can think.
Belarus has been producing world-class hockey players for decades. The national team had one of its most famous moments at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, when they defeated Sweden — one of the great hockey nations — in a sensational upset that surprised the whole world.
Children across Belarus start skating almost as soon as they can walk. Ice rinks are everywhere, and many schools have hockey programmes. Young players practise dribbling the puck, shooting at goal, and working together as a team. The sport teaches discipline, teamwork, and how to pick yourself up after a fall.
Minsk's Minsk Arena is one of the largest indoor arenas in Eastern Europe and has hosted several major ice hockey tournaments. When Belarus plays, the arena fills up with cheering fans in red and white — the national colours. The atmosphere is electric.