Opinions & Interviews

IAAF president on Match Europe v USA: We feel like home in Belarus

MINSK, 9 September (BelTA) – President of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Sebastian Coe praised the preparations for The Match Europe v USA Minsk 2019 as he met with Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko on 9 September, BelTA has learned.

“I am convinced that you, as the country leader, the world leader, will share my view that sport helps build bridges between nations even in the most difficult of times. Here we feel like home. We really appreciate the opportunity to show the best of sport [athletics] here for the two days that are ahead,” Sebastian Coe said.

He emphasized that huge preparatory work had been done, including by the team of Chairman of the Belarusian Athletics Federation Vadim Devyatovsky who dealt with all the technicalities in Belarus, the IAAF chief said.

“We have kept our word and organized this event [The Match Europe v USA] in Minsk. In my turn, I would like to thank you for staying true to your word to remain intolerant to doping and for helping us fight with it,” Sebastian Coe said.

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