Second European Games in Belarus

European Games may draw 500 million TV audience

MINSK, 28 January (BelTA) – The television audience of the European Games may total over 500 million viewers. This number was announced at the European Olympic Committees (EOC) session in Lausanne, Switzerland, BelTA has learned from the press service of the directorate of the games.

International Sports Broadcasting (ISB), the host broadcaster for the Games, says it has already reached agreements in more than 106 territories, many of which are top broadcasters in Europe. A total estimated reach may be more than 500 million potential viewers in 120 countries.

“This is excellent news not only for the success and longevity of the European Games, but especially for the athletes, who deserve to have the biggest possible viewership. We look forward to welcoming the world to Minsk this summer, be it in person or via our strong network of broadcasters,” said (EOC) President Janez Kocijancic.

ISB will produce an estimated 500 hours of broadcast coverage of Minsk 2019, which will run from 21-30 June in the Belarusian capital. During the 10 days of European Games competition, ISB will provide extensive live coverage of events as well as a daily highlights package. The company will also cover the opening and closing ceremonies.

The executive committee has heard progress reports on organization of the European Games 2019 in Minsk from Chairman of the EOC Coordination Commission Spyros Capralos and CEO of the Minsk European Games Organizing Committee (MEGOC) George Katulin. The session was also attended by President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach.

The next session of the executive committee will be held in Albania’s capital Tirana on 9 May.

The European Games include competitions in 15 sports. Eight of them will act as qualifiers for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, with the European Games also counting as the official European championships for badminton, boxing, and judo.

A total of 12 sport sites will be used for the games, the biggest of which are Dinamo Olympic stadium, Minsk Arena, Chizhovka Arena, Minsk Palace of Sports. Over 4,000 athletes from 50 countries will compete in 199 medal events.

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