"With Heart for Belarus": The 2nd CIS Games Start Today"
While the grand opening ceremony of the II CIS Games will take place on August 5 at the Minsk-Arena, the competition program starts on August 4 – the representatives of rhythmic gymnastics will be the first to compete for medals. Among the main favorites is the inimitable Alina Harnasko, who found time not only to pose for the camera but also to give a long, candid interview to our correspondent. You can read it in the Saturday issue of "SB. Week".
Over the past decades, dozens of new stadiums, sports complexes, football fields, and ice arenas have been built across Belarus. Olympic training bases have been restored, and youth sports schools have been put into operation. Our sports infrastructure is one of the best and most modern on the planet – this is a fact that has been repeatedly stated by foreign athletes who trained or competed in our country. Belarus has hosted many world-class international competitions in both summer and winter disciplines with brilliance and soul, and a unique national flavor. The amazing hockey festival that the 2014 World Championship gave everyone is still fresh in our memory – experts and participants unanimously recognized it as one of the best in history. No less inenthusiastic reviews were also received by the II European Games, which swept through the country like a whirlwind of emotions four years ago. And now, another colorful sports festival: Belarus is hosting the II CIS Games!
President of the Republic of Belarus:
— In the current circumstances, this sports festival takes on special significance for Belarusian athletes and a wide range of our friends who have confirmed their participation. We must not only hold the Games at the highest level, but we must also show once again that Belarus is an open and peace-loving country, where comfortable and safe conditions are created for people. But the main thing is the result we show. We have no moral right to perform poorly at these Games.
From a speech at a meeting of the Council of Ministers, June 22, 2023.
President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko:
— It was a triumph of vivid unforgettable impressions and strong emotions. There was everything: joy, happiness, and disappointment.ment. Such is the majesty of sport. It was a celebration of friendship and unity, of heated competitions that united millions of Europeans into one big family. But above all, we gave it to ourselves – Belarusians – as a testament to our capabilities and that we can move mountains. But only when we are together. We opened all the doors of Belarus wide for our guests – a country of Central European size, living and developing according to its own laws and traditions, which go back deep into the centuries. A country that does not create problems and does not make claims to its neighbors. We have these neighbors, and they are very different. And getting along with them is sometimes not easy. You have visited a beautiful country, very cozy for living and recreation. You have met a kind and hardworking people, living without wars, upheavals, and conflicts. And if you want to hear the silence again, come to Belarus.
From a speech at the closing ceremony of the II European Games in Minsk, June 30, 2019.
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10 days at the end of June 2019 will forever remain in the memory of all who experienced them. Thousands of participants, journalists, and tens of thousands of fans from all over the continent gathered in Belarus to enjoy the indescribable atmosphere of a grand sports festival. Today, in the current political realities, this may seem like a phantasmagoria, but the closing ceremony of the II European Games, which took place as a bright and unique show at the "Dynamo" stadium, was attended, among other distinguished guests, by Russian President Vladimir Putin and the head of the Internatiothe president of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach. They also managed to attend competitions, feel the spirit of struggle, and personally ensure that all the enthusiastic reviews about the Games were true to reality and that the celebration was truly unforgettable.
It is unlikely that such a number of sports stars, who passed before our eyes in June 2019, have ever visited our country throughout its sovereign history. And against this background, the 69 medals won by the Belarusian team, 24 of which were gold, is a remarkable result!
And in 2014, during the Ice Hockey World Championship, Minsk was surprisingly transformed, becoming a point of international friendship. Fans from Russia, Latvia, Sweden, Finland, Canada and the USA, France and the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Italy, Switzerland and Germany, Kazakhstan and Denmark admired Belarusian goodwill together and enjoyed great and classy hockey. They spoke different languages, but understood each other perfectly. And on days free from their home team's matches, they gladly explored the city's attractions and learned about the history of the country, which was new to them: they visited Mir and Nesvizh castles, and relaxed in Silichi and Logoisk. They also visited the "Line of Defense," which became a special symbol of the championship: it was not by chance that the opening day and Victory Day were combined – on May 9, representatives of many countries of the world admired the colorful fireworks in Minsk. They shook hands, smiled, and wished for war only on the hockey rink. And the photos of the Russian national team players led by Alexander Ovechkin on the legendary T-34 tank went around the world.
THROUGH THE EYES OF AN EYEWITNESS
Dmitry Baskov, Deputy Chairman of the Standing Commission of the Council of the Republic for Education, Science, Culture and Social Development:
— For me, not even as a professional athlete, but as a simple fan, the 2014 Ice Hockey World Championship in Minsk was a truly grand, large-scale celebration. Tens of thousands of fans of this sport came to Minsk and enjoyed the game. The World Championship gave us a lot: the transport, road, hotel, and sports infrastructure were significantly updated. But most importantly, the tournament gave a significant boost to the development of hockey in our country. A huge number of boys and girls fell in love with this game, and in the two years following the world championshipфорума количество занимающихся увеличилось на 20 процентов. Я был на разных чемпионатах мира и до того, и после. Поверьте, таких масштабных праздников не видел. Международная федерация хоккея, лишив нас возможности проведения чемпионата мира в 2021 году, позже сама поняла, какую ошибку совершила. После пандемии и отмены мирового форума в Минске турнир так и не смог вернуться на привычный уровень как в организации, так и в зрелищности.
Сегодня хоккей все ближе к тому, чтобы стать номером один среди игровых видов спорта в Беларуси. Когда я начинал заниматься им, ледовые объекты в нашей стране можно было пересчитать по пальцам одной руки. Сегодня их более 40. Государство продолжает вкладывать в развитие инфраструктуры, понимая значимость этих объектов для развития спорта, здоровья нации. Буквально за последний год была открыта дополнительная ледовая площадка в Жлобине, новый ледовый дворец в Островце. Большим подспорьем для усовершенствования спортивной инфраструктуры является проведение крупных масштабных спортивных мероприятий в нашей стране. Так, к II Европейским играм новый облик приобрел стадион «Динамо», существенно обновилась инфраструктура СОК «Олимпийский», тира им. С. К. Тимошенко, недавно был открыт ультрасовременный Дворец художественной гимнастики. Сейчас по всей стране спортивные объекты обновились в преддверии II Игр стран СНГ.
Президент уделяет огромное внимание социальной политике — это приоритетное направление для нашего государства. И нужно отметить, что появление новых спортивных объектов — это создание инфраструктуры не только для профессиональных спортсменов, но и для маленьких детишек — будущих звездочек нашего спорта и для простых белорусов, занимающихся любительским спортом. Я на сто процентов уверен, что невозможно кого‑то в чем‑то убедить, если сам в это не веришь. Наш Президент не только говорит о спорте, он своим личным примером влюбляет белорусов в спорт. Будучи главным тренером команды Президента, не перестаю удивляться, откуда у Главы государства столько энергииfor training. Despite the workload, responsibility, and endless work that the President is constantly involved in, he finds time for physical education and sports. Sometimes you give yourself a break from some training sessions, but looking at the President, you realize that if he finds time for sports despite his workload, then you simply must do it. Such an example inspires, energizes, and infects.
Vasilisa Marzalyuk, multiple medalist of the World and European Championships, winner of the I and II European Games:
— It was a colorful, bright event for our country! And for me, it was especially important for several reasons. Firstly, I took the athlete's oath. Secondly, I have not often had the opportunity to attend the opening of major sports forums, and it was inspiring. Thirdly, this start took place shortly after my birthday, so my family and friends were nearby. Probably, this is my warmest victory. The medal won at the II Europ
200 sets of awards
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Participants from 50 European countries
4082 athletes
8 thousand volunteers
Broadcast in 196 countries
213,000 tickets sold
35 thousand tourists
16 teams
64 matches
352 goals scored
643,434 spectators at all tournament matches (a world championship record at the time)
10,054 – average attendance per match
Broadcast in 120 countries worldwide
Over 80,000 foreign fans from 46 countries
The largest number of sports disciplines are concentrated in Minsk: awards in 3x3 basketball, volleyball, athletics, and mini-football will be contested in the capital.ball, beach soccer, rifle shooting, modern pentathlon, and rhythmic gymnastics. Minsk will also host the opening and closing ceremonies of the Games – on August 5 and 13 at the Minsk-Arena. Vitebsk will host the Muay Thai tournament, and Orsha – the boxing tournament. Mogilev will host archery competitions, as well as karate. Zhlobin will become the capital of Sambo, and Gomel – of Judo. Grodno will host field hockey and weightlifting, and Brest – handball and swimming. In Soligorsk, the strongest will be determined by wrestlers, and in Molodechno – by beach volleyball players.
Approximately one thousand correspondents from 12 countries will cover the II CIS Games. As noted by the Ministry of Information, in addition to Belarusian journalists, our colleagues from 45 media outlets from Azerbaijan, Armenia, Great Britain, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Finland, and Estonia have sent accreditation requests.
The II CIS Games will differ significantly from the debut competitions held two years ago in Kazan. Firstly, in scale: they are not localized in one city but are scattered like beads across the country, allowing every corner of Belarus to feel and enjoy their indescribable atmosphere. Secondly, in format: the II Games have open status and will gather participants not only from the CIS but also from many other countries, from Cuba to Mongolia. Thirdly, the competitions are shedding the cliché of being exclusively a youth forum: national teams will be represented in sambo, weightlifting, rhythmic gymnastics, beach soccer, and field hockey – the strongest athletes will compete for medals. Fourthly, a traditional visa-free regime has been introduced for participants and guests. Fifthly, admission to all arenas and competitions without exception will be free.
COMMENTARY
Sergey Kovalchuk, Minister of Sport and Tourism:
—
Strong Character – Bright Game!
Belarus has always been considered a sports-loving country, famous for its champions and its ability to host guests with incredible warmth and friendliness – sports tournaments in our country have always been turned into a real celebration, which all participants and spectators remembered for a very, very long time. This was the case during the USSR times, when Minsk hosted the football matches of the 1980 Olympics, the European and World Championships in wrestling, artistic gymnastics, weightlifting, the USSR vs. USA athletics matches, and many, many other top-level tournaments. Belarus has trained dozens of great athletes and has seen hundreds of world stars with its own eyes, who set their records and won medals in our arenas. Thanks to the state's policy and the personal involvement of Alexander Lukashenko, the winning traditions in sports have not only been preserved in sovereign times but have also been significantly multiplied.Over the past decades, dozens of new stadiums, sports complexes, football fields, and ice arenas have been built across Belarus. Olympic training bases have been restored, and youth sports schools have been put into operation. Our sports infrastructure is one of the best and most modern on the planet – this is a fact that has been repeatedly stated by foreign athletes who trained or competed in our country. Belarus has hosted many world-class international competitions in both summer and winter disciplines with brilliance and soul, and a unique national flavor. The amazing hockey festival that the 2014 World Championship gave everyone is still fresh in our memory – experts and participants unanimously recognized it as one of the best in history. No less inenthusiastic reviews were also received by the II European Games, which swept through the country like a whirlwind of emotions four years ago. And now, another colorful sports festival: Belarus is hosting the II CIS Games!
President of the Republic of Belarus:
— In the current circumstances, this sports festival takes on special significance for Belarusian athletes and a wide range of our friends who have confirmed their participation. We must not only hold the Games at the highest level, but we must also show once again that Belarus is an open and peace-loving country, where comfortable and safe conditions are created for people. But the main thing is the result we show. We have no moral right to perform poorly at these Games.
From a speech at a meeting of the Council of Ministers, June 22, 2023.
II European Games – 2019 and the 2014 Ice Hockey World Championship in Minsk: an anthem to sport and peace!
Today, many have already forgotten that the first European Olympics (as the European Games were dubbed), which took place in Azerbaijan in 2015, could well have been the last. Holland, chosen as the host country for the II European Games, unexpectedly withdrew, refusing the festival due to high costs and the inability to ensure the safety of all participants and guests. The EOC (European Olympic Committees) faced a dilemma: what to do? The moment seemed critical, with less than three years left until the start of the Games: not everyone could take the risk of organizing and hosting such a large-scale international competition in such a short period. Belarus lent a helping hand and resolutely declared: we can do it!President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko:— It was a triumph of vivid unforgettable impressions and strong emotions. There was everything: joy, happiness, and disappointment.ment. Such is the majesty of sport. It was a celebration of friendship and unity, of heated competitions that united millions of Europeans into one big family. But above all, we gave it to ourselves – Belarusians – as a testament to our capabilities and that we can move mountains. But only when we are together. We opened all the doors of Belarus wide for our guests – a country of Central European size, living and developing according to its own laws and traditions, which go back deep into the centuries. A country that does not create problems and does not make claims to its neighbors. We have these neighbors, and they are very different. And getting along with them is sometimes not easy. You have visited a beautiful country, very cozy for living and recreation. You have met a kind and hardworking people, living without wars, upheavals, and conflicts. And if you want to hear the silence again, come to Belarus.
From a speech at the closing ceremony of the II European Games in Minsk, June 30, 2019.
0"/>10 days at the end of June 2019 will forever remain in the memory of all who experienced them. Thousands of participants, journalists, and tens of thousands of fans from all over the continent gathered in Belarus to enjoy the indescribable atmosphere of a grand sports festival. Today, in the current political realities, this may seem like a phantasmagoria, but the closing ceremony of the II European Games, which took place as a bright and unique show at the "Dynamo" stadium, was attended, among other distinguished guests, by Russian President Vladimir Putin and the head of the Internatiothe president of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach. They also managed to attend competitions, feel the spirit of struggle, and personally ensure that all the enthusiastic reviews about the Games were true to reality and that the celebration was truly unforgettable.
It is unlikely that such a number of sports stars, who passed before our eyes in June 2019, have ever visited our country throughout its sovereign history. And against this background, the 69 medals won by the Belarusian team, 24 of which were gold, is a remarkable result!
And in 2014, during the Ice Hockey World Championship, Minsk was surprisingly transformed, becoming a point of international friendship. Fans from Russia, Latvia, Sweden, Finland, Canada and the USA, France and the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Italy, Switzerland and Germany, Kazakhstan and Denmark admired Belarusian goodwill together and enjoyed great and classy hockey. They spoke different languages, but understood each other perfectly. And on days free from their home team's matches, they gladly explored the city's attractions and learned about the history of the country, which was new to them: they visited Mir and Nesvizh castles, and relaxed in Silichi and Logoisk. They also visited the "Line of Defense," which became a special symbol of the championship: it was not by chance that the opening day and Victory Day were combined – on May 9, representatives of many countries of the world admired the colorful fireworks in Minsk. They shook hands, smiled, and wished for war only on the hockey rink. And the photos of the Russian national team players led by Alexander Ovechkin on the legendary T-34 tank went around the world.
THROUGH THE EYES OF AN EYEWITNESS
Dmitry Baskov, Deputy Chairman of the Standing Commission of the Council of the Republic for Education, Science, Culture and Social Development:
— For me, not even as a professional athlete, but as a simple fan, the 2014 Ice Hockey World Championship in Minsk was a truly grand, large-scale celebration. Tens of thousands of fans of this sport came to Minsk and enjoyed the game. The World Championship gave us a lot: the transport, road, hotel, and sports infrastructure were significantly updated. But most importantly, the tournament gave a significant boost to the development of hockey in our country. A huge number of boys and girls fell in love with this game, and in the two years following the world championshipфорума количество занимающихся увеличилось на 20 процентов. Я был на разных чемпионатах мира и до того, и после. Поверьте, таких масштабных праздников не видел. Международная федерация хоккея, лишив нас возможности проведения чемпионата мира в 2021 году, позже сама поняла, какую ошибку совершила. После пандемии и отмены мирового форума в Минске турнир так и не смог вернуться на привычный уровень как в организации, так и в зрелищности.
Сегодня хоккей все ближе к тому, чтобы стать номером один среди игровых видов спорта в Беларуси. Когда я начинал заниматься им, ледовые объекты в нашей стране можно было пересчитать по пальцам одной руки. Сегодня их более 40. Государство продолжает вкладывать в развитие инфраструктуры, понимая значимость этих объектов для развития спорта, здоровья нации. Буквально за последний год была открыта дополнительная ледовая площадка в Жлобине, новый ледовый дворец в Островце. Большим подспорьем для усовершенствования спортивной инфраструктуры является проведение крупных масштабных спортивных мероприятий в нашей стране. Так, к II Европейским играм новый облик приобрел стадион «Динамо», существенно обновилась инфраструктура СОК «Олимпийский», тира им. С. К. Тимошенко, недавно был открыт ультрасовременный Дворец художественной гимнастики. Сейчас по всей стране спортивные объекты обновились в преддверии II Игр стран СНГ.
Президент уделяет огромное внимание социальной политике — это приоритетное направление для нашего государства. И нужно отметить, что появление новых спортивных объектов — это создание инфраструктуры не только для профессиональных спортсменов, но и для маленьких детишек — будущих звездочек нашего спорта и для простых белорусов, занимающихся любительским спортом. Я на сто процентов уверен, что невозможно кого‑то в чем‑то убедить, если сам в это не веришь. Наш Президент не только говорит о спорте, он своим личным примером влюбляет белорусов в спорт. Будучи главным тренером команды Президента, не перестаю удивляться, откуда у Главы государства столько энергииfor training. Despite the workload, responsibility, and endless work that the President is constantly involved in, he finds time for physical education and sports. Sometimes you give yourself a break from some training sessions, but looking at the President, you realize that if he finds time for sports despite his workload, then you simply must do it. Such an example inspires, energizes, and infects.
Vasilisa Marzalyuk, multiple medalist of the World and European Championships, winner of the I and II European Games:
— It was a colorful, bright event for our country! And for me, it was especially important for several reasons. Firstly, I took the athlete's oath. Secondly, I have not often had the opportunity to attend the opening of major sports forums, and it was inspiring. Thirdly, this start took place shortly after my birthday, so my family and friends were nearby. Probably, this is my warmest victory. The medal won at the II Europ
...of the European Games in Minsk is kept at my home. By the way, it's one of the few. I handed over the medal from the Games held in Baku to the National Olympic Committee, and I keep the ones from the Games that took place in our country. The II Games of the CIS Countries are about to start. Young people under 23 will compete in wrestling at these Games – the closest reserve. It's great that this event will be held in our country. We managed to gather participants from 11 countries, and the competition for the guys will be high.
II European Games in Minsk
15 sports200 sets of awards
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Participants from 50 European countries
4082 athletes
8 thousand volunteers
Broadcast in 196 countries
213,000 tickets sold
35 thousand tourists
2014 Ice Hockey World Championship
2 ice arenas16 teams
64 matches
352 goals scored
643,434 spectators at all tournament matches (a world championship record at the time)
10,054 – average attendance per match
Broadcast in 120 countries worldwide
Over 80,000 foreign fans from 46 countries
Games with an Open Heart
The II Games of the CIS Countries is the main sporting event of 2023 in Belarus. Participation in competitions in 20 sportsFrom August 4 to 14, more than two thousand athletes from 23 countries will participate. In total, over three thousand guests will gather in Belarus.The largest number of sports disciplines are concentrated in Minsk: awards in 3x3 basketball, volleyball, athletics, and mini-football will be contested in the capital.ball, beach soccer, rifle shooting, modern pentathlon, and rhythmic gymnastics. Minsk will also host the opening and closing ceremonies of the Games – on August 5 and 13 at the Minsk-Arena. Vitebsk will host the Muay Thai tournament, and Orsha – the boxing tournament. Mogilev will host archery competitions, as well as karate. Zhlobin will become the capital of Sambo, and Gomel – of Judo. Grodno will host field hockey and weightlifting, and Brest – handball and swimming. In Soligorsk, the strongest will be determined by wrestlers, and in Molodechno – by beach volleyball players.
Approximately one thousand correspondents from 12 countries will cover the II CIS Games. As noted by the Ministry of Information, in addition to Belarusian journalists, our colleagues from 45 media outlets from Azerbaijan, Armenia, Great Britain, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Finland, and Estonia have sent accreditation requests.
The II CIS Games will differ significantly from the debut competitions held two years ago in Kazan. Firstly, in scale: they are not localized in one city but are scattered like beads across the country, allowing every corner of Belarus to feel and enjoy their indescribable atmosphere. Secondly, in format: the II Games have open status and will gather participants not only from the CIS but also from many other countries, from Cuba to Mongolia. Thirdly, the competitions are shedding the cliché of being exclusively a youth forum: national teams will be represented in sambo, weightlifting, rhythmic gymnastics, beach soccer, and field hockey – the strongest athletes will compete for medals. Fourthly, a traditional visa-free regime has been introduced for participants and guests. Fifthly, admission to all arenas and competitions without exception will be free.COMMENTARY
Sergey Kovalchuk, Minister of Sport and Tourism:—
Our task is not only to show good sports results but also to present the country, to reveal and demonstrate its best qualities and opportunities: the culture and customs of all regions, the hinterland. We want everyone who comes to us to receive a positive, good mood and a charge of energy: both fans and participants.
EYEWITNESS ACCOUNT
Vyacheslav Kot, senior coach of the national Sambo team:
Four years ago, we hosted the European Games, and perhaps this was the largest forum that Belarus hosted. Our country met it with dignity, and people still remember those competitions with kind words. The most pleasant thing is that we managed to show a good result then – the sambo wrestlers won 15 medals, three of which were gold. I am convinced that holding such competitions will help attract children to sports. Especially now, when sports are somewhat suspended on the international agenda. Perhaps this is the first swallow that we are independently holding not alternative to the Olympics, but the largest competitions, which will be attended by athletes from all CIS countries.