22.06.2019
The second edition of the European Games got underway last night following a spectacular Opening Ceremony at the Dinamo Stadium in Minsk, in which archer Mete Gazoz was the flag bearer for Turkey.
Present at the Opening Ceremony were Turkey’s Youth and Sports Minister Mr. Mehmet Muharrem Kasapoğlu, Turkey’s Ambassador to Belarus Kezban Nilvana Darama, Turkish Olympic Committee President and International Olympic Committee Vice-President Professor. Dr. Uğur Erdener, and Vice President of Turkish Olympic Committee and Member of the Board of European Olympic Committees Hasan Arat.
The ceremony lasted two hours and was a beautifully orchestrated celebration of Belarus’ culture, traditions and talents. Alexander Lukashenko, President of Belarus, concluded the ceremony with an impactful speech after Janez Kocijancic, European Olympic Committees President, had previously addressed the stadium, thanking Belarus for its hospitality and friendship.
The 2nd European Games 2019 will be held from 21-30 June and will feature 200 events in 15 sports and 23 disciplines. It will also involve 4,000 athletes from 50 countries with ten sports offering qualification opportunities for Tokyo 2020.
Turkey’s delegation will feature 110 athletes who will compete in 14 sports: shooting, athletics, badminton, 3x3 basketball, cycling, boxing, gymnastics, wrestling, judo, canoeing, karate, table tennis archery and sambo.