Second European Games in Belarus

Kocijancic: Belarus has great sports traditions and achievements

MINSK, 22 June (BelTA) – Belarus has great sports traditions and boasts numerous sports achievements, President of the European Olympic Committees Janez Kocijancic said at the opening ceremony of the 2nd European Games that took place in the Dinamo Stadium in Minsk, BelTA has learned.

“We are in Belarus, the country with strong sports traditions and numerous sports achievements. This country has a distinct European identity and rich cultural heritage. The famous Vitebsk school of art is just one of the examples,” Janez Kocijancic said.

Although relatively small in size, Europe is the most successful continent in the Olympic community. Today Europe marks the beginning of its most important multi-sports event, Janez Kocijancic said. Best athletes from 50 European countries have gathered here in Minsk to showcase their talents and skills thus continuing the honorable tradition of the 1st European Games that took place in Baku (Azerbaijan).

Addressing the athletes, Janez Kocijancic urged them to stick to the fair play principle and to explore the limits of human performance.

His Belarusian-language address was met with huge ovation. Janez Kocijancic thanked Belarus for hospitality and noted that the European Games became the biggest sports event in the history of Belarus. He expressed hope that the games will open up this beautiful country to the rest of the world.

Over the following ten days, all the eyes will be on the 2nd European Games in Minsk. The opening ceremony of this multi-sports event took place in Dinamo Stadium, the main sports venue of Belarus.

The 2nd European Games will run till 30 June. Over 4,000 athletes from 50 countries will compete in 200 medal events in 15 sports. The official motto of the 2nd European Games is Bright Year, Bright You. The logo is a fern flower that has a symbolic meaning in Slavic culture. Lesik the Fox is the official mascot.

Minsk was granted the right to host the 2nd European Games at the 45th meeting of the General Assembly of the European Olympic Committees in October 2016.

The 1st European Games took place in Azerbaijan’s capital city Baku in June 2015. Belarus was represented by 151 athletes in 24 sports. They won 43 medals.

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