45th General Assembly of the European Olympic Committees in Minsk

The 2016 Rio Summer Games, the champions and their records continue making headline news. Meanwhile, the preparations for the new Olympic Games have already kicked off, with fans looking forward to new events, tournaments and important sports decisions. The 45th General Assembly of the European Olympic Committees (EOC), that gathered delegates from 50 countries in Minsk in October 2016, ushered in a new Olympic cycle. The forum was held in the Hall of the Olympic Glory at the Headquarters of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Belarus.
 
The 45th EOC General Assembly was preceded by the EOC Executive Committee meeting and the ceremony to unveil the EOC new logo, a stylized blue mosaic with elements representing 50 EOC member states. The European sports authorities, outstanding athletes, Olympic champions and medalists, leading specialists and coaches gathered in the Bolshoi Theater of Belarus to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the National Olympic Committee of Belarus on 20 October.
 
The two-day EOC General Assembly discussed a wide range of issues related to anti-doping control, the involvement of the National Olympic Committees in worldwide processes, support of the children’s and youth sport. The forum also decided the next host country of the European Games. The decision was made in favor of the Republic of Belarus.
 
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko also took an active part in the discussions. The President made a speech advocating for sport without borders and visa restrictions. He spoke in favor of the idea of co-hosting big tournaments and also suggested compiling an annual European calendar of international sports events. Another Belarusian initiative was to develop a system of additional education for retiring athletes.
 
Alexander Lukashenko held a number of meetings with international sports functionaries: Acting President of the European Olympic Committees Janez Kocijancic, President of the Association of National Olympic Committees Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, Vice President of the National Olympic Committee of Azerbaijan Chingiz Huseynzade, and President of the Armenian NOC Gagik Tsarukyan.

 The 45th EOC General Assembly: meetings, discussions and the vote for the 2019 European Games host country in our photo gallery.