Minsk ready to host 2019 European Games, Belarus President confirms

  21 October 2016    Read: 1399
Minsk ready to host 2019 European Games, Belarus President confirms
Minsk is ready to step in to host the 2019 European Games, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko confirmed here today.
He made the commitment following a meeting with Janez Kocijančič, the acting President of the European Olympic Committees (EOC).

The EOC have been searching for a host city since The Netherlands withdrew on the eve of Baku 2015 and then Russia dropped out of the running after the IOC warned they would not support events there following allegations of state-sponsored doping.

But now Belarus have come forward to ensure the event will be staged for a second time.

"Belarus is not a superpower, but we are paying a lot of attention to sport," Lukashenko told delegates at the opening of the 45th EOC General Assembly.

"I want our European organisation to be as good as the organisations of other continents, including the International Olympic Committee.

"In this regard I am a nationalist and a patriot.

"Therefore, you can count on Belarus.

"If you wish to hold any events in Belarus within the framework of this organization, we are ready to support our organisation at any moment and organize any events.

"We have made a historic decision, and will welcome European athletes here for our Olympics in 2019."

Lukashenko had begun his speech by offering his support to Patrick Hickey, President of the EOC currently still held in Rio de Janeiro on charges of illegally selling tickets for the Olympic Games.

Lukashenko, who is also President of the National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Belarus, claimed the accusations were "made up".

"I am convinced that this country will be able to hold an excellent European Games," said Kocijančič.

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