The second day of the NOCs’ representatives started with a series of presentations that gave the delegates a detailed information about what have been already done within each functional area and what are the nearest goals to be met.

Makis Asimakopulos, EOC Sport Consultant:

-We can see a major progress. The organizing committee is getting more and more stuff and work is progressing fast. There is still a lot of work to be done, the time is flying away desperately, only 14 months are left before the actual start of the Games and we feel like the pace is good. Belarus has a great chance to present itself to the rest of the world as a modern country, to create a good image to the world, even better than existing right now. And EOC is here to assist towards this direction. The National Olympic Committees that came to Minsk this time were deeply impressed by the city itself and its infrastructure, the existing sports facilities, the people from the organizing committee they met here. Now we just need to combine all these together – the venues, all the stuff, all the efforts of MEGOC and national federations, companies working in transportation, accreditation, accommodation, etc. – to get to the Games. Such a big multisport event has a special need on how to do stuff. And this is a real challenge how to put it together. We know the correct way to go, so we just need not miss any single day in the preparation process. The Athletes’ Village has a very good setup. We’ll have very elite athletes, so they’ll need very special conditions, but I have no doubt that the Village we’ll have in 2019 will be excellent.

George Katulin, CEO Minsk 2019:

-The first NOCs Open Day is a very significant event in the preparation process. It is highly important to get the feedback from the representatives of the participating NOCs, because these people know the exact needs of the athletes and all the standards and requirements that shall be satisfied at such a big event. They pay attention to every single detail – transportation of the athletes, their living conditions, refreshment facilities and food safety. The delegates highly appreciated all our efforts and the work that has been already done, though there is still a lot to do within the upcoming 14 months.

Florin MIȘCĂ, Chef de Mission of Romania national team during the 2nd European Games:

-I will be back home with lots of very detailed information received from the organizing committee. I am impressed how much information they managed and present to us. Now we have information for our athletes, federations, technicians to be prepared for the next year to participate in the 2nd European Games. The venues’ tour was very well organized. I have appreciated the venues. I don’t want to say which one I like the most because I don’t want to put other in the back front. I think all venues are of a very high level and good quality. You really deserve to be the organizers of the 2nd European Games. I think those 2nd Games will be a strong point for the future of the competition. Together with the EOC and suggestions from NOC representatives who are here now and those who will participate in July session we’ll make the sustainable format of the competition. And I want to thank Belarus team for the professionalism, friendly approach and great hospitality.

Pierce O’Callaghan, EOC Senior Consultant, is impressed by Dinamo Stadium in Minsk and expects it to be really packed out during the 2nd European Games in 2019:

-First of all, on behalf of the European Olympic Committees, I would like to say that it’s a great pleasure to get such a historic stadium as “Dinamo” is in Minsk. We’re very aware of the great history that this stadium has. It was built in 1930’s, damaged during the World War II and then rebuilt again. And now it’s a brand-new chapter for the European Games in Minsk. The reconstruction progress over the last year is very fast. You can feel the history and the mix between the old style and the modern history of Belarus. I think it will be a great landmark in the city of Minsk and it will be a real attraction to all the Belarusian citizens to have this venue after the European Games. I suppose that in June 2019 it will be a big problem to find some tickets to the Opening ceremony of the Games because everyone will be eager to visit this new stadium. I want to encourage all people to buy tickets for the ceremonies as soon as they go on sale to experience the history that will happen in the Dinamo Stadium.

The delegates of 12 National Olympic Committees of the countries participating in the upcoming European Games, which will take in the Belarusian capital from 21 to 30 June 2019 arrived in Minsk

For two days, the MEGOC will hold a series of joint meetings with representatives of the NOCs of Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Denmark, Great Britain, Hungary, Latvia, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Romania, Russia and Turkey, and the EOC experts. Delegates will also visit a number of sports venues that will host the multisport event in 2019. In addition, they will observe the facilities of the Athletes’ Village.

George Katulin, CEO Minsk 2019:

-I hope you will enjoy our hospitality and you totally prepared for intensive work during those two days. It is important to start our first NOC Open Day because you will open not only secrets of preparation but our passion. We open and expect to receive the feedback from NOC officials because you are professionals who take care of athletes who are the main focus of the Games.

Pierce O’Callaghan, EOC Senior Consultant:

-I’m involved in the project of the European Games for almost 8 years now from 2010 when the EOC set a working group to explore a crazy idea about if the European Games were possible. It took 2 or 3 years before we made the final conclusion. It became possible only after numerous discussions with NOCs’ representatives and athletes. The idea that was expressed more and more often told us that five Olympic rings were missed in Europe, but at the same time all other continents had such a big sporting event – Asian Games, Pan American Games, Pacific Games, etc. From EOC’s point of view, we were very happy to cooperate with Baku in 2015. It was a first step that turned out to be really successful. I’m sure that MEGOC will do its best to host such a prestigious event on a high level. So within these two days, we’ll have an opportunity to see what has been already done and to discuss all the areas of preparation for the 2nd European Games in Minsk.

The 2nd European Games will be held in Minsk from 21 to 30 June 2019 at 12 sports venues. More than 4,000 athletes from 50 countries will compete in 200 medal events in 15 sports. Competitions in 10 sports will be the qualification for the XXXI Olympic Games 2020 Tokyo (Japan).