Second European Games in Belarus

Flame of Peace torch relay of 2nd European Games reaches Gomel

GOMEL, 5 June (BelTA) – Over a thousand local residents and tourists welcomed participants of the Flame of Peace torch relay of the 2nd European Games near the Ice Arena in Gomel, BelTA has learned.

A welcoming address was delivered by Gomel Mayor Piotr Kirichenko. He wished the torch relay of the 2nd European Games a nice journey along the streets of Gomel.

The torch was lit by the mayor jointly with Chairman of the Belarusian Mountaineering Federation Aleksandr Godlevsky, Belarus’ Honored Coach who ascended Elbrus, Belukha, Lenin Peak, Bolivar Peak, and Nanga Parbat. The Flame of Peace was passed to canoeist Leonid Geishtor, Belarus’ first Olympic champion (1960), world champion, USSR Honored Master of Sports, BSSR Honored Coach, BSSR Honored Physical Education and Sports Worker. He did not hide his nervousness during this symbolic moment. Leonid Geishtor won gold at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome. He still keeps the photo from the Italian capital. By the way, it was there where the flame of the 2nd European Games was lit.

Taking part in the ceremony was also famous actor and director Pavel Kharlanchuk-Yuzhakov, a native of Gomel. He wished the athletes many successes at the forthcoming event.

The torch will be carried by USSR Honored Master of Sports, silver medalist of the 1992 Olympic Games, world champion in freestyle wrestling, Honored Coach of Belarus Sergei Smal, the head of the international fashion forum BFW and the Open Podium agency Yanina Goncharova. More than 40 torch-keepers will carry the Flame of Peace in Gomel Oblast.

The torch will be taken to important places of the regional center. The torch keepers have already visited the ‘sweetest’ place of the city - Spartak confectionery. The confectioners gave the guests a life-size chocolate copy of the torch.

Many exciting events are prepared in the region along the route. The symbol will be carried along the iconic places and attractions. The relay will go through Gomel, Zhlobin, Pripyatsky National Park, Turov, Mozyr and on to Minsk Oblast.

The Flame of Peace torch relay will finish at Dinamo National Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony of the 2nd European Games on 21 June.

Minsk will host the 2nd European Games on 21-30 June. Over 4,000 athletes from 50 countries will compete for 200 medal sets in 15 sports.

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