Opinions & Interviews

Pierce O'Callaghan has wide experience in organizing large-scale sports events. For example, he also served as Sports Director of the First European Games in Baku.

Pierce O'Callaghan viewed the visit to Minsk as a historical milestone. In his words, the inspection gives start to the 2019 European Games. “During this three-day visit we saw all sports facilities that will be used during the competitions: the rowing canal at Zaslavl, Minsk Arena, the Palace of Sports, the Timoshenko Shooting Range, Chizhovka Arena. I can say with confidence that Minsk sports facilities are 100% ready to host the Second Summer European Games,” said Pierce O'Callaghan.

Secretary General of the National Olympic Committee of Belarus Anatoly Kotov stressed that Belarus will use the positive experience gained during the 2014 IIHF World Championship to get ready for the 2019 European Games. Apart from the sports infrastructure, Pierce O'Callaghan also visited a number of hotels in Minsk, a student village in Dzherzhinsky Avenue and hailed their level.

Belarus was elected to host the Second European Games in 2019 after a vote at the 45th General Assembly of the European Olympic Committees in Minsk in October. The First European Games were held in Azerbaijan on 12-28 June 2015. Belarus placed 7^th with a total of 43 (10 gold, 11 silver and 22 bronze) medals.