Second European Games in Belarus
European Olympic Committees president charmed by Minsk atmosphere
MINSK, 30 June (BelTA) – The organization of the 2nd European Games Minsk 2019 is excellent. Belarus leaves the impression of a country with a great attitude to sport. President of the European Olympic Committees Janez Kocijancic made the relevant statements on the air of the Belarusian TV channel ONT, BelTA has learned.
The sport functionary noted that the organization of the multisport forum was beyond his expectations and deserved every bit of praise. He said: “People here are open and friendly. They welcome foreign guests so well,” he said. “I am charmed by the atmosphere in the city, by the sport villages, by how infrastructure works so well, by the fan zones. It is a brand new, unusual impression from Belarus as a friendly country with an excellent attitude to sport.”
Janez Kocijancic stressed the important mission of sport, which helps unite people, establish friendship and understanding between nations. “I can say with confidence that Belarus uses this opportunity just fine,” he remarked.
The president of the European Olympic Committees also drew attention to the need to separate politics and sport. “Certainly, the problem of performance-enhancing drugs during sport competitions is hotly debated and it is necessary to fully ban them. Those, who take such drugs, should be removed from sport competitions once and for all. But entire countries should not be punished by means of collective fines,” he noted.
On the whole, he believes that the European Games, which were envisaged as the world’s second most important sport event after the Olympics, have proven their value. “They have gathered a large number of young athletes, who show their talent, energy, and enthusiasm. They can demonstrate excellent results during the Tokyo Olympics next year. The European Games have become a magnificent sport event, which radically differs from the other existing competitions,” Janez Kocijancic concluded.
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