President of Japanese university paid visit to NOC Belarus

Secretary General of the National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Belarus, Director of the II European Games Directorate George Katulin met with a delegation from the Japanese city of Sendai headed by local university president Mr. Hosava and Shiroishi Mayor Mr. Yamada.

The parties reviewed bilateral cooperation, including outcomes of the first sport training camp in Japan for the Belarusian national rhythmic gymnastics team. Such camps are scheduled until 2020 when the Summer Olympic Games begin in Tokyo.

“We are glad to welcome you here in our country. Though we are on different continents, we have close ties thanks to sport. It is remarkable that Japan is getting ready to host the Olympic Games in 2020 and Belarus – the European Games 2019. I remind that 10 sports of the II European Games programme are qualifiers for Tokyo 2020. We are sure the Olympics 2020 will be organized at the highest level and we wish you held them successfully”, - said George Katulin.

Secretary General also thanked for the opportunity to conduct preparations of our national rhythmic gymnastics team for the Olympic Games 2020.

Mr. Hosava, the head of the Committee on attracting athletes for pre-Olympic training sessions in Japan, was the first from the foreign delegation to take a word. He made note he was involved straightforwardly in the project on inviting the Belarusian rhythmic gymnastics team.

“First, I would like to say thanks for welcoming us. We will do our best in the course of preparations for Tokyo 2020 to secure as many medals as possible for Belarus. I wish you have great II European Games 2019 in Minsk”, said Mr. Hosava.

The Shiroishi Mayor upheld his colleague and added that the residents of Shiroishi would cheer up for the Belarusian team. Mr. Yamada hoped the Olympic Games would be “a power, which brings Belarus and Japan together”.

As a part of the visit, the parties exchanged gifts and walked around the NOC HQ.