For the first time during the 2nd European Games, the medallists of the competition were awarded not right after their competition, but the next day.
A boisterous and colourful medal ceremony was held at the main fan zone near the Sports Palace on Monday where the winners of the Minsk 2019 athletics competitions were awarded. The competition was held in a new format for the first time at a major international event - Dynamic New Athletics (DNA).
Belarusian fans came to share the triumphant minutes with Belarusian athletes, who won three gold and three silver medals the day before, and today once again experienced the emotions of bright victories together with the fans.
Gold medals were presented to high jumper Maxim Nedosekov, javelin thrower Tatyana Kholodovich and hurdles master Elvira German. Their teammates - long jumper Anastasia Mironchik-Ivanova, as well as runners Vitaly Parakhonko and Kristina Timanovskaya received silver medals.
"There was some uncertainty about the result until the end of competition day, which made for additional pressure. I was not completely sure that I would get the gold medal, emotions overwhelmed me. But I am more than happy with the result," said Maxim Nedosekov, who won the gold medal in the high jump event. "The format of the competition in athletics is unusual, but everything new is difficult to understand at first. Considering how many spectators came to support us, the kind of atmosphere in the stands, I think the format will go further."
Tatyana Kholodovich shared her impressions about the new competition format and medal ceremony in the heart of Minsk.
"Winning the competition is great, but it’s greater when it happens in your homeland. At the 2nd European Games we became participants in new interesting competitions. This is really dynamic athletics. The sports forum, which takes place in Minsk, is organised at the highest level, and, I swear, I like it here more, than other big athletics competitions. Today's medal ceremony was very exciting, but at the same time, very pleasant, because people came to support us."
The ceremony was attended by the president of the European Olympic Committees (EOC) Janez Kocijancic, president of the European Athletics Association (EA) Sven Arne Hansen, representatives of the National Olympic Committees of European countries, as well as the chairman of the Belarusian Athletics Federation Vadim Devyatovsky and secretary general Nadezhda But-Gusayim.
Vadim Devyatovsky, chairman of the Belarusian Athletics Federation, commented on the new format of the competition.
"My European colleagues were so pleased with the DNA format. The competition was fair, the intrigue remained until the last finishes. In general, the DNA format is an experiment and at the same time a test for organisers. If you look at the competition that unfolded in the four matches of the qualifying round - everyone was in an equal position. I can prove my opinion with the example of Elvira German, who won the gold medal. If you are a real leader, you won’t pay attention to other circumstances."
Monday's ceremony awarded nine out of 10 sets of medals. The final medals, in the team event, will be presented on June 28. Athletics competitions at the 2nd European Games are among the qualifiers for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
