Second European Games in Belarus

MINSK, 30 August (BelTA) – A lot has been done in Belarus to prepare for the 2nd European Games Minsk 2019 but a lot more has yet to be done. Prime Minister of Belarus Sergei Rumas made the statement during an offsite session of the republican committee in charge of organizing the 2nd European Games Minsk 2019 in the National Olympic Committee on 30 August, BelTA has learned.

Sergei Rumas noted: “Judging from the reports on preparations for the 2nd European Games Minsk 2019, a lot has been done already. Yet analysis of the work that’s been done indicates that a lot more has yet to be done and there are a number of important issues, which have yet to be addressed.”

Getting the sport venues ready for the games is the main matter. The 2nd European Games Minsk 2019 will take place in 12 sport facilities. The readiness of each of them will be discussed during the session of the organizing committee today. Participants of the session will discuss what has been done, what has yet to be done, whether repairs are necessary, whether additional equipment is necessary, what remarks and proposals international experts have made after inspecting the facilities, and how government agencies interact with each other in order to fulfill these proposals.

The organizing committee will also consider the preparation of the temporary infrastructure, land beautification and the organization of catering for participants of the games. Sergei Rumas wondered whether a contract with the intended catering services provider had been drafted and asked about the price. The Minsk European Games Organizing Committee (MEGOC) had been previously instructed to contact the agencies concerned and polish the action plan on organizing the catering aspect of the games.

Participants of the session of the republican committee on organizing the games will also hear out proposals on mascots of the 2nd European Games Minsk 2019 and will examine samples of uniforms for participants of the games. The Belarusian state light industry concern Bellegprom and fashion designers have worked together to prepare samples of the apparel that athletes and officials involved in organizing the games will wear.

Sergei Rumas said: “After perusing the paperwork ahead of the organizing committee session I can see that the Minsk European Games Organizing Committee (MEGOC) will have to answer some questions. At this stage MEGOC should no longer limit its efforts to being a link between subcommittees and government agencies. The number of personnel employed by MEGOC at present is twice as large as the personnel employed by many ministries. It is MEGOC that should handle the bulk of the preparations for the games while the subcommittees should help deal with interagency issues.”

The 2nd European Games will take place in Minsk on 21-30 June 2019. Over 4,000 athletes from 50 countries will compete in 201 medal events in 15 sports. Competitions in ten sports will be qualifiers for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.