Second European Games in Belarus

MINSK, 28 March (BelTA) – Delegates of the European national Olympic committees and representatives of the European Olympic Committees (EOC) are satisfied with progress in preparations for the 2nd European Games Minsk 2019, BelTA learned from the EOC senior consultant Pierce O'Callaghan as he visited the Dinamo Stadium in Minsk on 28 March.

A joint meeting with representatives of the agency in charge of preparing the 2^nd European Games Minsk 2019 and EOC representatives took place in the morning. After that the guests visited the sport facilities, which will be used in the course of the games in June 2019.

According to Pierce O'Callaghan, the delegation was impressed with the progress achieved in the Dinamo Stadium. “We know it is a historical site. It is very interesting to watch the reconstruction of the stadium, to see how its historical part and modern technologies mesh together. I should note that the stadium has changed a lot over the last 12 months. I am convinced that many sport fans look forward to buying tickets for the opening ceremony and the closing one of the 2nd European Games,” said Pierce O'Callaghan.

According to the company in charge of rebuilding the stadium, general construction work at the Dinamo Stadium has been finished. Interior finishing is in progress as well as the assembly of the stadium’s roof. All the main operations are supposed to be finished by 31 May.

Many delegates of European national Olympic committees stressed that Minsk is well-prepared for the 2nd European Games. “The group, which visited Minsk today, was pleasantly surprised by Minsk’s readiness for the forthcoming European forum. Many facilities will soon be able to host international competitions. Preparations stay on schedule. We can feel it at every sport facility,” said Anar Bagirov, a representative of the National Olympic Committee of Azerbaijan.

The delegation of the European national Olympic committees was also made familiar with the Minsk-based Sporting Club where clay target shooting events will take place.

Minsk will host the 2^nd European Games on 21-30 June 2019. The Games will take place at 12 sport facilities and are expected to attract over 4,000 athletes from 50 countries. The Games will feature 15 sports: badminton, 3x3 basketball, boxing, wrestling (freestyle wrestling, Greco-Roman wrestling, women’s wrestling), cycling (track and road), gymnastics (artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, acrobatics, aerobics, and trampoline), rowing (kayak and canoe competitions), judo, karate, track and field athletics, sambo, archery, shooting (including clay target shooting), table tennis, and beach football.

Competitions in ten kinds of sport will qualify their athletes for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.