20 June 2018
EOC experts: Minsk progressing well in preparations for 2nd European Games

The European Olympic Committees’ Coordination Commission for the European Games Minsk 2019 today gave a positive assessment of the preparations being undertaken by the Minsk European Games Organising Committee (MEGOC) at a meeting in the Belorussian capital today.

CoCom_June2018_Katulin-1024x682.jpg

“Today’s MEGOC report on the progress of preparations was positively received,” said MEGOC CEO George Katulin after the meeting held at the Belarus National Olympic Committee headquarters. “Our EOC colleagues were pleased to find out that the MEGOC staff has grown significantly, in particular in leadership positions. Our next step is to set up operating teams at each venue.”

CoCom_June2018_Kapralos-1024x683.jpg

Chairman of the EOC Coordination Commission Spyros Capralos underscored the significant changes taking place in Minsk in terms of preparations for the second edition of the European Games, as well as inside MEGOC itself.

“A number of sports venues have recently been refurbished and will soon be put into operation,” Chairman Capralos said. “The Chef de Mission seminar, taking place from 9-12 July, will bring together in Minsk representatives from 49 of the 50 NOCs participating in the European Games, where they will receive all the necessary information to best prepare for next year’s event.”

European Games Executive Director Simon Clegg pointed out that the dialogue with key MEGOC function areas during the CoCom have helped identify those areas that need additional attention in the near future.

“It is already clear that MEGOC’s work is going in the right direction, they are very active in getting ready for the Games. I worked at 12 Olympic Games and no edition is the same as the previous one. There is no need to compare events at this level and scale, but I am sure that the European Games in Minsk will be memorable because Belarus will bring its own twist to it which will make them special,” Clegg said.

CoCom_June2018-2-1024x682.jpg

MEGOC CEO Katulin addressed a number of issues that have been resolved since the last CoCom visit. He presented updated information on the number of medal events (201) and the number of participants in the competitions (4,082), as well as the changes made to qualifying for the European Games in boxing, judo, sambo, wrestling, and archery.

The EOC commission was informed about a recent seminar held for federations and sports facilities representatives, and the progress of the Dinamo stadium reconstruction and beach soccer arena construction. Delegates were also brought up to date on some of the recently signed sponsorship agreements. Functional areas such as accommodation, catering, TV broadcasting, merchandising, medals design, marketing, ticketing and others were also discussed.

The members of the EOC Coordination Commission will be in Minsk until 22 June. On June 21, they will attend the grand opening of the Dinamo stadium – the main venue of the Minsk European Games.

The 2nd European Games 2019


Share: