Second European Games in Belarus

Belarus’ ability to host top international sport events pointed out

MINSK, 8 July (BelTA) – After the 2nd European Games Minsk 2019 Belarus can host top-level events in many sports, BelTA learned from Deputy CEO of the Minsk European Games Organizing Committee (MEGOC) Anatol Kotau on 8 July.

The official stressed that the 2nd European Games Minsk 2019 represents a serious legacy. “I am confident that now our country can choose what sport tournaments it should host. Representatives of international federations have seen our infrastructure and the ability to host major international competitions. As far as I know, some federations are already curious about the possibility of getting major competitions organized. One of the conditions of organizing a multisport forum is the new equipment, which every sport venue now has,” Anatol Kotau noted.

The 3rd European Games will take place in Poland. According to Anatol Kotau, Polish colleagues have already contacted Belarus with requests for consultations about the organization of the forthcoming games.

The Minsk European Games Organizing Committee (MEGOC) gets letters of thanks from various international bodies. Belarus acquired serious experience, material and non-material legacy thanks to the 2nd European Games Minsk 2019. Two facilities were prepared specifically for the games: a shooting range and the Dinamo Stadium, which was commissioned one year ahead of the games and hosted three major events: an athletics competition, the opening ceremony, and the closing one. The Olympic complex Staiki and the national Olympic reserve college were remodeled. A gymnastics palace and the national applied science center for sport medicine were built. All these facilities are going to benefit Belarusian sport for a long time. Serious changes have been done to renew the transport infrastructure, Anatol Kotau said.

The physical infrastructure of Belarusian television was greatly improved. “Four new reporting vans helped deliver top-notch picture from the sport venues. The work of our television professionals has been duly appreciated. Many of them will get an opportunity to cover major international competitions later on,” he stressed.

Television broadcasting rights to the 2nd European Games Minsk 2019 were sold in 145 countries. “It indicates interest to the sport forum. The European Games were interesting not only on the continent but in other parts of the globe, too,” Anatol Kotau noted.

The 2nd European Games featured competitions in 15 sports. Competitions in eight sports were used as qualifiers for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. The 2nd European Games used 12 sport facilities in Minsk, including the Dinamo Stadium, Minsk Arena, Chizhovka Arena, and the Sports Palace. As many as 4,000 athletes from 50 countries competed for 200 sets of awards.

The Russian team won the largest number of medals (109), with the Belarusian team coming second (69). It is the largest achievement secured by Belarusian athletes at an international tournament.

Representatives of 44 countries won medals during the 2nd European Games Minsk 2019.

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