EOC Newsletter No. 192 May 2019 MESSAGE FROM THE EOC PRESIDENT Dear colleagues, Following a terrific edition of the Games of the Small States of Europe, expertly hosted for the first time by our Montenegrin friends in May, the stage is now set for Europe’s premier multi- sport event: The European Games Minsk 2019. We expect a great 2nd edition of our Games, with some 4,000 of the continent’s best athletes competing in 15 sports, eight of which will offer qualifying for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. The hosts have been busy putting the final touches on preparations for the Games, which will be the largest event ever held in Belarus. We firmly believe in the sport capacity of Belarus and the Minsk European Games Organising Committee (MEGOC), and we are confident this edition of the Games will help us solidify our continent’s standing as the strongest in world sport. Athletes and officials from all 50 European National Olympic Committees are set to take part in the Games, creating the perfect platform for people from across the continent to become better acquainted with Belarus and vice versa. Our hosts have done an excellent job ensuring that all visitors will be well taken care of during the Games, and we look forward to a friendly and welcoming stay in the Belarusian capital. This includes the wonderful refurbishment of the local university dormitories into the Athletes’ Village, which is one of the best we have seen. First-time visitors may be surprised at how clean and modern the city of Minsk is, not to mention the world-class sporting infrastructure it possesses. In fact, only a single venue being used for the European Games needed to be built from scratch: that for beach soccer, which took only two months to construct. These Games, therefore, have already raised the bar in terms of sustainability. Following the successful inaugural edition of the European Games in Baku in 2015, Minsk 2019 is certain to continue to build on these solid foundations, adding its own unique flavour to the young history of the Games. And with the ensuing election of Krakow, Poland as Host City of the 2023 edition, the future of the European Games is in very good hands. I look forward to seeing you all in Minsk and wish your athletes the very best in their pursuit to be crowned champions of Europe. Best regards, Janez Kocijančič EOC President 1 EOC NEWSLETTER May 2019 EOC EOC Seminar in Vienna gets interactive with top-level panellists The 40th European Olympic Committees (EOC) Seminar, which took place in Vienna from 18-19 May, was of high interest for the European National Olympic Committees (ENOCs). The new format of the seminar, led by EOC President Janez Kocijančič and EOC Secretary General Raffaele Pagnozzi, received very positive feedback from the European sports delegates. In an interactive and relaxed atmosphere, experienced panellists discussed important topics ranging from The European Model of Sport and the necessary actions for a gender-balanced future to commercialisation in sport and the growth of urban sports. Notable speakers also included Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) President Francesco Ricci Bitti and Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF) President Russia’s Trusova named Raffaele Chiulli, International Olympic Committee (IOC) Deputy Director General for Relations with the Olympic Best Winter European Movement Pere Miró and IOC Director of Olympic Solidarity and NOC Relations James Macleod. Read Young Athlete more EOC Marketing and Communication Commission gathers in Athens The EOC Marketing and Communication Commission met in Athens, Greece on 4 May. Chaired by Romanian National Olympic Committee (NOC) President Mihai Claudiu Covaliu, the group discussed the necessary know-how to implement an effective marketing and communications strategy for the organisation. The 4th Piotr Nurowski Prize for Best Winter European EOC Executive Commission Liaison Member Hasan Arat Young Athlete was awarded to 14-year-old Russian figure (TUR) was also in attendance. skater Alexandra Trusova during the 40th EOC Seminar in The Members agreed that a clear distinction between Vienna. the European Championships and the European Games A member of the Russian national team since 2017, Trusova is needed in order to enhance the EOC product. is a two-time World Junior Champion, two-time Russian Moreover, innovations in the sport structure of the Junior National Champion, 2018 Junior Grand Prix Final Games, the bidding process and other aspects are also runner-up and 2019 Russian national silver medallist. required to attract the public and encourage sponsors Despite her young age, Trusova is already shattering records and potential host cities. and changing the way skaters approach their programmes. The Commission advised the EOC to involve the She was the first figure skater to land two quads in a routine, European Union (EU) in the promotion of the European the first female skater to land a quadruple Lutz and the first to Games and the EOC brands, connecting its means with nail a quadruple toe loop. At the International Skating Union the communication and promotional system of the EU. (ISU) Junior Grand Prix in Lithuania last year, Trusova set a The possibility to use the Olympic Channel for promotion new world record with 74.74 points in her short programme, and the organisation of a Marketing Seminar on a beating the previous mark by 1.56 points. Read more European level was also discussed. 2 EOC NEWSLETTER May2019 EUROPEAN GAMES Poland set to host the 3rd Minsk 2019 gives the European Games in 2023 final boost to Games The deadline for the submission of completed preparations candidature documents for the 3rd edition of the European Games in 2023 passed on 31 May, and the EOC confirmed it received an application from the NOC of Poland as a joint bid from the city of Kraków and the Małopolska region. The official election of the European Games 2023 host will take place at an extraordinary EOC General Assembly in Minsk on 22 June. Minsk 2019 Torch enters Belarus after journey across Europe With the EOC flagship multi-sports event fast approaching, the Minsk European Games Organising Committee (MEGOC) is currently giving the final boost to Games preparations. Minsk 2019 organisers have confirmed that around 130,000 tickets have been sold so far. About 15 per cent have been bought by sports fans outside of Belarus, with Russia representing the biggest share. The Opening Ceremony, which is scheduled on 21 June at 10 p.m. at the Dinamo Stadium in the Belarusian capital, will showcase the country’s rich historical past, culture and achievements. An innovative attribute to the programme includes the augmented reality (AR) free-to-download mobile application SportAR. The AR The Flame of Peace for the 2nd European Games Minsk technology will bring the images of Belarusian flora and 2019 crossed the border into Belarus on 12 May, following fauna to life, but also help capture the emotions of the an eight-day journey across Europe. athletes and participants of the show.Read more The Relay was given a flying start when the Torch was brought to the top of Mont Blanc after an ascent by members of the Belarus Mountaineering Federation “The One Chapter Belarus.” Before entering Belarus, the Flame stopped in Ljubljana (SLO) on 8 May, Budapest (HUN) and Vienna (AUS) on 9 May, Bratislava (SVK) and Brno (CZE) on 10 May and finally in Warsaw (POL) on 11 May. A series of events were organised by the relevant NOCs to celebrate the arrival of the Torch. Read more 3 EOC NEWSLETTER May 2019 Approximately 3,000 seats World-famous online game for fans with disabilities in developers to join Minsk Minsk 2019 cultural programme MEGOC has announced that 3,000 seats for people with The developers of the popular video game “World disabilities will be available at sports venues during the of Tanks” are gearing up to take part in the cultural European Games Minsk 2019 from 21-30 June. MEGOC programme of the 2nd European Games. A large staff and volunteers gathered for a seminar in Minsk on entertainment area of the Belarusian IT giant will be set 29 May to discuss assistance for fans with impairments up at the Galleria Minsk shopping centre. at the hosting sports facilities. Read more During Games time, a 1,000 m2 “World of Tanks” entertainment zone will welcome visitors at the shopping centre (9 Pobediteley Ave, Floor 2). Fans will have the opportunity to participate in various family activities and win prizes. The social events will also feature popular Minsk 2019 medals YouTubers who will entertain people with online streams, unveiled! autograph sessions and photo shoots. Read more Capralos: Minsk is ready to host the European Games The medals of the 2nd European Games were presented on 21 May in Mir Castle, Belarus, exactly a month before the start of the event. The presentation coincided with the Torch Relay for the Flame of Peace for the Games. The main symbol of the Games – the magical flower “Paparats Kvetka” “Minsk is ready to host the 2nd European Games,” EOC – was incorporated into the medal design, which was Coordination Commission Chair Spyros Capralos stated conceived by Brama Branding. The design is a nod to the on the occasion of the 40th EOC Seminar in Vienna from summer season, during which the 2nd European Games 18-19 May. will be held. He stressed that all venues are operational and that the The shape of the medal is a classical circle, in the middle of Games have also attracted interest from non-European which appear sunbeams with fuzzy outlines, resembling countries.