Second European Games in Belarus

MINSK, 22 September (BelTA) – Belarus has got off to a good start as the country is preparing for the 2019 European Games, the Coordination Commission of the European Olympic Committees (EOC) said as quoted by Georgy Katulin, the head of the Directorate for the Second European Games, BelTA has learned.

The EOC Coordination Commission completed its work in Minsk on 22 September. According to Georgy Katulin, the visitors gave a thumbs-up to Minsk’s sports infrastructure. “The EOC is confident about the good organization of the upcoming sports forum. Experts have worked for two days. They got no serious complaints. During today’s final session, Chairman of the EOC Coordination Commission Spyros Capralos noted that the preparations for the European Games kicked off on the right foot but it is important to keep up the pace,” Georgy Katulin remarked.

The Coordination Commission put special focus on the current state of the Student Village which is set to host athletes in less than two years. According to Georgy Katulin, since the commission’s last visit in May, Belarus has met all the requirements and standards, and also dispelled any doubts about comfortable accommodation. “The only thing the EOC insists on is that Wi-Fi should cover the largest area possible. Another point is catering. I do not think this is a difficult task for the organizers,” he underlined.

The Directorate for Second European Games has been stepping up its effort. According to Georgy Katunin, the directorate will employ more people prior to the start of the 2019 European Games. “Over 1,000 foreign experts helped organize the forum in Baku. Belarus plans to engage as many domestic specialists as possible, and also invite foreign experts, so that the 2019 European Games become a good experience for our sports managers who would arrange other top-notch events later on,” Georgia Katulin.

Belarus was chosen to host the Second European Games in 2019 at the 45th session of the EOC General Assembly in Minsk in October 2016. The forum is due to open at Dinamo Stadium on 21 June 2019.