Belarus president starts countdown to 2nd European Games

Photo: belta.by

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko started the countdown to the 2nd European Games as he opened the renovated Dinamo Stadium in Minsk on 21 June, BelTA has learned. The 2nd European Games will take place in Minsk in 2019.

The head of state pressed a button to start the countdown on LED displays. The launch was accompanied by pyrotechnic effects in the sky and in the bowl of the stadium.

In his speech Alexander Lukashenko noted that the stadium will become the heart of the 2nd European Games Minsk 2019. The games will be a magnificent event for Belarus and the entire international community. The opening ceremony will take place in the Dinamo Stadium as well as field-and-track athletics competitions.

Minsk will host the 2nd European Games on 21-30 June 2019. The games will feature 15 sports: badminton, 3x3 basketball, boxing, wrestling (freestyle wrestling, Greco-Roman wrestling, women's wrestling), cycling (track and road), gymnastics (artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, acrobatics, aerobics, and trampoline), rowing (kayak and canoe competitions), judo, karate, track and field athletics, sambo, archery, shooting (including clay target shooting), table tennis, and beach football.

Experts of the European Olympic Committees praised Minsk's readiness one year before the games are scheduled to begin. The program of the games is practically ready. More than 200 sets of awards will be distributed. Competitions in ten sports will qualify their athletes for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.