Volha Mazurenok from Belarus, European marathon champion in 2018, has become the latest addition to the team of Star Ambassadors for the 2nd European Games 2019. The announcement was made during the victory ceremony of the Minsk half-marathon which took place last weekend.

“I think that most of the participants of the Minsk half-marathon were surprised by the remarkable sporting result and the human feat that Volha performed during her marathon competition at the European Championships in Berlin this summer,” said George Katulin, CEO of the Minsk European Games Organizing Committee (MEGOC). “We are convinced that she will be a fantastic ambassador for the 2nd European Games and attract thousands of fans.”

The Chairman of the Belarus Athletics Federation, Vadim Devyatovsky, highlighted the remarkable popularity Mazurenok enjoys since her memorable victory at the 2018 European Championships where she won the race despite health issues and having taken the wrong route. He said: “That event showed that in the most difficult circumstances, Volha remains extremely strong. Her spirit and willpower have inspired many people, she is a true role model. It is great that Volha will be a Star Ambassador for the 2nd European Games – the most important sporting event that Minsk will host in 2019. I am sure that she will be very valuable for Games promotion. She is very sociable and can inspire other athletes to join our event.”

Mazurenok said: “I have no doubt that the 2nd European Games in Minsk will be a success. It’s a great honor for me to be part of the Star Ambassador team for the Games. I will do everything possible to present Belarus as a sport-enthusiastic and hospitable country.”

The mission of the Star Ambassadors is to spread the word about Europe’s premier multisport event that will take place from 21-30 June next year in the Belarus capital. The team includes prominent individuals from the world of sport, art and culture from Belarus and abroad:

* Four-time Olympic champion and two-time World Champion Darya Domracheva, a biathlete legend from Belarus, was announced as the first Star Ambassador on 24 July.

* Famous circus trainers Askold and Edgard Zapashnye from Russia.

* Aliaksandr Bahdanovich, the Beijing 2008 canoe sprint champion and deputy of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus.

More Star Ambassadors will be announced in due course.