Opinions & Interviews

Maksim Ryzhenkov thanked the European Olympic Committees for the opportunity to host such a big event. He also stressed that Minsk had serious competition from other cities. “Belarus is perceived by the European Olympic community as a country that loves and respects sport, that possesses sufficient resources to host such major events as the 45^th General Assembly of European Olympic Committees (EOC). During the EOC General Assembly, its participants and guests will get acquainted with the sports facilities, tourism opportunities and hotels in Minsk. I am confident that this will encourage Belarus and Belarusian sports federations to bid to host major international events,” Maksim Ryzhenkov said.

“Belarus will put forward a number of initiatives at the 45^th EOC General Assembly. Doping in sport is a pressing issue today. We believe that the National Olympic Committees should work out a consolidated position on the matter. There is a need for complete openness and transparency in the activity of international organizations such as the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has already made steps in this direction, and we hope this work will be continued.

It is important to take into account the consolidated opinion of the National Olympic Committees of some countries. Unfortunately, the voice of the regional associations of the National Olympic Committees is not always heard. We would like the regional organizations to have a bigger say in the international Olympic movement, from the selection of the Olympic venue to the development of the anti-doping policy,” he noted.

Belarus is also interested in the IOC programs to support children’s and youth sport and retiring athletes.

he General Assembly of the European Olympic Committees will take place in Minsk on 20-22 October. The EOC Executive Committee Meeting and the presentation of the new EOC logo are scheduled for 20 October. The Hall of Olympic Glory of Belarus’ National Olympic Committee will be the main venue of the EOC General Assembly on 21-22 October. On Friday, 21 October, the National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theater will host a gala to mark the 25th anniversary of the founding of the National Olympic Committee of Belarus. The event will bring together champions and prizewinners of the Olympic Games, coaches and specialists, famous athletes, delegates and guests of the General Assembly.

More than 80 Belarusian and 20 foreign media representatives have been accredited to cover the 45th EOC General Assembly. Among them are The Associated Press, Reuters, Rossiya Segodnya news agency, the German TV station WDR. A stylized Belarusian cornflower will be the logo of the 45th EOC General Assembly in Minsk.

Last year, the results of the EOC activity were summarized in Prague.