Second European Games in Belarus

2nd European Games Flame lit in Rome

MINSK, 3 May (BelTA) – The Flame of Peace for the 2nd edition of the European Games was lit at the Ara Pacis Museum in Rome on 3 May, BelTA has learned.

The Flame of Peace Lighting Ceremony was attended by representatives of the European Olympic Committees (EOC), including President Janez Kocijancic, Belarus’ Sport and Tourism Minister Sergei Kovalchuk, CEO of the Minsk European Games Organizing Committee (MEGOC) George Katulin.

EOC President Janez Kocijancic handed the torch over to the Belarusian sport and tourism minister, who, in turn, gave it to Olympic champion Yulia Nestsiarenka and Olympic champion Uladzislau Hancharou. Then, prominent fencer, four-time Olympic champion Alena Belova handed the 2nd European Games torch over to Belarusian bikers.

On the way to Belarus, the torch will raised by Belarusian climbers to Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Europe, on 5-7 May. The torch will also travel through the National Olympic Committees of Slovenia, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, and Poland. The flame will be brought to Belarus by members of The One Chapter Belarus bikers’ club.

The torch will arrive in Belarus on 12 May. The relay will run through all parts of Belarus: Brest Oblast on 12-17 May, Grodno Oblast on 18-23 May, Vitebsk Oblast on 24-29 May, Mogilev Oblast on 30 May - 4 June, Gomel Oblast on 5-10 June, Minsk Oblast on 11-16 June.

Minsk will welcome the Flame of Peace in State Flag Square on 17 June. The Torch will travel along Pobeditelei Avenue on 17 June and along Nezavisimosti Avenue on 18 June. On 19 June, torchbearers will visit Minsk landmarks, attend the greeting ceremony for athletes at the Athletes’ Village. The Flame of Peace torch relay will finish at Dinamo National Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony of the 2nd European Games on 21 June.

Belarus has already chosen 450 people as torchbearers. Among them are the country’s best athletes, outstanding scholars, culture and art figures.

Minsk will host the 2nd European Games on 21-30 June. Over 4,000 athletes from 50 countries will compete for 199 medal sets in 15 sports.

Belarus was granted the right to host the 2nd European Games at the meeting of the General Assembly of the European Olympic Committees on 21 October 2016.

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