Minsk 2019 Briefing Begins

(ATR) National Olympic Committee press attaches, communications directors and journalists are in Minsk for a wide-ranging briefing ahead of thesecond edition of the European Games.

European Games

In less than a year, more than 4,000 athletes from the 50 European NOCs will be in the Belarusian capital, competing for 201 sets of medals in 15 sports. Those numbers don't approach those of the inaugural edition of the European Games. Minsk 2019, which will run from June 21 to 30, will have about 2,000 fewer athletes and five fewer sports than Baku 2015.

European Games executive director Simon Clegg says that it is still the early stages in developing the European Games brand, but the size and structure of the Minsk 2019 Games should be sustainable for future editions.

"I think we are now at about the right size, but we as an organization have to be flexible," Clegg said. "We’ve always said the European Games are not about building new facilities, therefore we have to work with cities that can accommodate the European Games.

"A more flexible approach is required by the EOC to assure that the Games will be sustainable," he said.

On the first day of the two-day gathering, Minsk 2019 Deputy CEO Anatol Kotal and other Minsk European Games Organizing Committee (MEGOC) staff delivered presentations on the sport competition program and qualifying systems, marketing/ticketing and TV broadcasting.

"In the long-term, from an NOC perspective, it is important that we can create a very serious sponsorship and broadcast platform," Clegg said.

"Through the creation of this event, we can provide a notable revenue source for the NOCs and make them rely less on government support."

The day concluded with a venue tour of the Sport Palace (Sambo & wrestling), Pavlova Arena (3x3 basketball), Minsk Arena (gymnastics), Minsk Arena Velodrome (cycling), Sport Palace Urichie (boxing) and Dinamo Stadium (ceremonies and athletics).

The NOC officials were highly impressed with Dinamo Stadium and its futuristic design creatively blended with a touch from the past.

The historic stadium, which was opened in 1935 and hosted soccer matches during the Moscow 1980 Olympics, was re-opened on June 23 following a six-year renovation project. The renovation of the 22,000-seat stadium started long before Minsk was awarded the European Games in October 2016.

Fifteen pre-existing competition venues will be utilized for the 15 sports and 23 disciplines at Minsk 2019.

Athletes will be lodged at the completely refurbished Minsk University residence hall in the center of the city.

A presentation on the Athletes Village will be featured onday two of the briefing, along with accreditation, accommodations, transportation and press operations.

Clegg, noting that the Pan American and Asian Games were established in 1951 while the African and Pacific Games have been around since the mid-60’s, conceded that the European Olympic Committees (EOC) is "playing catch-up."

"It takes time for new events to resonate with people," he said. "It is surprising in some respect that despite the athletic and commercial prowess of Europe we have not had a Games until now."

The former Chef de Mission of Great Britain said the Minsk 2019 European Games will "raise the profile of the athletes and sports outside of the period of the Olympic Games".

"Baku was an amazing experience and I was lucky to be involved with delivering it, but we have to do is deliver something that is right for Belarus in 2019 and that will be very different," he said.

Clegg, who accepted the position of European Games executive director on May 11, served the same role in Baku in 2015. Heemphasized that unlike the first edition in Azerbaijan, Belarus is seasoned in hosting and delivering major international events.

In 2014, Minsk staged the 2014 IIHF ice hockey world championships and will do so again in 2021, sharing the tournament with Riga, Latvia.

Written and reported by Brian Pinelliin Minsk.

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