Second European Games in Belarus
Mogilev welcomes European Games torch relay
MOGILEV, 30 May (BelTA) – An official ceremony to welcome the Flame of Peace torch relay of the 2nd European Games was held at the Buinichi Field Memorial, Mogilev District. More than a thousand Mogilev residents came to welcome and support the torchbearers, BelTA has learned.
“It is symbolic that in the year of the 75th anniversary of Belarus’ liberation from Nazi invaders, the relay starts here, on this holy land. For us Buinichi Field is a symbol of unparalleled valor and feat in the name of Great Victory. The Flame of Peace is not only a harbinger of the large-scale sports event. It also reminds us that our country lives under peaceful sky,” Mogilev Mayor Vladimir Tsumarev said addressing the ceremony.
“It is a very exciting moment for the city, the mayor said. Having covered more than 7,000km, the European Games torch relay has reached the city on the Dnieper. Well-known residents of Mogilev will have the honor to carry the torch across the native land, all its iconic places. The relay route has been mapped to best demonstrate the city, its rich history and major attractions. The Flame of Peace will stay in the city for one day only but will bring together thousands of distinguished people of the city,” Vladimir Tsumarev said. “Twenty-five Mogilev residents are preparing to take part in the European Games. They all have fighting spirit, and there is no doubt that they will achieve good results and enter a bright page in the history of the European Games
Vladimir Tsumarev wished happiness and prosperity to everyone and bon voyage to the Flame of Peace torch relay. Keepers of the flame handed the torch to the 58th torchbearer - soloist of IOWA group Yekaterina Ivanchikova who carried the main symbol of the European Games to the Konstantin Simonov memorial stone. When handing the torch over to well-known Belarusian artist Viktor Alshevsky, she said that it was a great honor for her to start the relay in Mogilev and to be part of this ceremony. In her view, the forthcoming large-scale sports forum and the events preceding it bring people together and help build up new contacts, strengthen friendship and open Belarus up for the world. “We all are becoming part of the great history. I am overwhelmed with pride for my homeland. No matter where I go, I always say that I was born on this land. It is here where I made my first steps as an artist. As to the European Games, I do not know yet who I will support, but I will closely follow the games, because this is a big event for the country that promises to be exciting and unforgettable,” Yekaterina Ivanchikova said.
After the Buinichi Field Memorial, the torch relay proceeded to the zoo where it was taken on a railway safari to the harbor on the Dnieper River from where the flame was taken to Mogilev. The itinerary featured two big companies: Mogilevliftmash and Mogotex. The second part of the program will kick off near a fountain in the Podnikolsky Park in Mogilev at 20:30. The torch bearers will carry the flame along Pionerskaya Street to the Rodina movie theater. A horse carriage will wait for it on Stargazer Square. The carriage will take the flame through Lenina Street to Glory Square where a concert starring Belarusian performers will be held. The concert will wrap up with a display of fireworks.
After Mogilev, the Flame of Peace relay will head for Shklov where the torch will be welcomed in the town hall and the ice arena. After that it will move on to the agro-town of Alexandria. In the town of Gorky the torch bearers will visit the Amphitheater cultural and entertainment center, the botanical garden, Belarusian State Agricultural Academy and the central square where a thematic flash mob will be held.
The torch relay will visit Golubaya Krinitsa (Blue Spring) in Slavgorod District, a well-known natural monument, the Ludchitskaya Vysota war memorial in Bykhov and the Chigirinskoye Water Reservoir. The symbol of the 2nd European Games will spend two days in the city of Bobruisk and Bobruisk District. On 3 June, the flame will be carried through the central streets of the city to Bobruisk Arena. On 4 June, the torchbearers will carry the flame to OAO Krasny Pischevik, Belshina and the Gigant agricultural company in the agro-town of Bolshiye Bortniki.
The torch relay has already traveled through Brest Oblast, Grodno Oblast and Vitebsk Oblast. After Mogilev Oblast the torch relay of the 2nd European Games will head for Gomel Oblast.
The charity campaign #velcombegom, which kicked off on 12 May, continues its run simultaneously with the torch relay. The campaign aims to support young athletes with disabilities. The participants of the charity run are expected to cover the record 200,000km over 50 days. velcom | A1 will also transfer a record high sum of Br200,000 in charity assistance. The number of kilometers covered as part of the Flame of Peace relay and also the results of all athletic competitions during the 2nd European Games will be credited to the overall result.
Anyone can join the campaign. Just download any fitness app on the mobile phone, go out for a run regularly through 30 June, and share your achievements in the social media using hashtags #velcombegom, #A1 and #brightteam.
The campaign is run by velcom | A1 mobile operator in partnership with the Minsk European Games Organizing Committee, with the assistance of the Sport and Tourism Ministry and the Paralympic Committee.
The 2nd European Games will be held in Minsk on 21-30 June 2019. Over 4,000 athletes from 50 countries will compete in 200 medal events in 15 sports.
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