News & Events in Belarus

MINSK, 21 November (BelTA) – The city which will host the General Assembly of the European Olympic Committees (EOC) in 2016 has been announced at the 44^th EOC General Assembly in Prague. The representatives of European NOCs chose Minsk, BelTA learned from the press service of the National Olympic Committee of Belarus.

There were three countries (Armenia, Belarus, and Malta) in the bid.

The final list of contenders was announced on 21 November. Yerevan and Minsk were competing for the right to host the event. President of the Armenian NOC Gagik Tsarukyan said that because of the friendly relations with and respect for Belarus’ NOC President Alexander Lukashenko, Armenia withdraws its bid in favor of Belarus.

The presentation Minsk 2016 was held by First Vice President of Belarus’ National Olympic Committee Maxim Ryzhenkov. After that the procedure of voting took place, and the Belarusian capital became the winner.

EOC President Patrick Hickey said that Minsk will host the General Assembly and assured that it will be an important and memorable visit to the Belarusian capital for the European Olympic family because Minsk has successfully hosted a number of sports events, including the 2014 IIHF World Championship.

The working meeting of the Belarusian delegation with President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Tomas Bach took place in Prague. He said he would like to visit Minsk during the General Assembly in 2016. Tomas Bach was also eager to meet with legendary Belarusian fencers Alexander Romankov and Yelena Belova which whom he competed at the Olympic Games.

The session of the 44th EOC General Assembly is attended by the representatives of the entire Olympic movement, including the presidents of the IOC, ANOC, EOC, leaders of continental associations of the IOC, representatives of national Olympic committees, international sports federations, organizing committees of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Youth Olympic Games, European Youth Olympic Festivals.