SOLIGORSK, 12 June (BelTA) – Minsk Oblast took up the Flame of Peace torch relay of the 2nd European Games at a solemn event in Soligorsk on 11 June, BelTA has learned.
The torch arrived in Minsk Oblast from Gomel Oblast. After the relay exchange in the Veliki Les village, the torchbearers visited the National Speleotherapy Hospital and the Belaruskali mining company.
The Flame of Peace torch relay was welcomed by local residents on the streets of Soligorsk. Taking part in the relay were cultural figures, athletes and miners. The torchbearers included master of sports of international class (swimming) Taisiya Kundzeleva, Belaruskali machine operator Yuri Soldatenkov, Belarusian composer and songwriter Leonid Shirin, master of sports of international class (powerlifting) Aliaksandr Kurak, Representative of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Belarus Jean Yves Bouchardy, student of Minsk Secondary School No. 85 Maria Gnedchik, head of one of Belaruskali mines Yuri Petrovsky, First Deputy Chairman of the Board of Belarusbank Aleksandr Polivko and TV presenter Leonid Kuprido.
The guests and athletes were welcomed by Chairman of the Soligorsk District Executive Committee Oleg Poskrobko and Minsk Oblast Deputy Governor Ivan Markevich.
“Minsk Oblast has thoroughly prepared for the 2nd European Games. The results of this work are visible in Soligorsk. I am convinced that representatives of our region – a total of 35 athletes – will achieve good results in the forthcoming competitions,” Ivan Markevich said.
The Flame of Peace torch relay will head for Nesvizh where it will be carried from Town Hall Square to the Nesvizh Castle.
The flame of the 2nd European Games was lit at Ara Pacis Museum in Rome on 3 May. Then, Belarusian climbers took the torch to the summit of Mont Blanc. The torch traveled through Slovenia, Austria, Hungary, Czechia, Slovakia and Poland.
In Belarus, the Flame of Peace has already been to Brest Oblast, Grodno Oblast, Vitebsk Oblast, Mogilev Oblast and Gomel Oblast.
Minsk will welcome the Flame of Peace in State Flag Square on 17 June. The Torch will travel along Pobeditelei Avenue on 17 June and along Nezavisimosti Avenue on 18 June. On 19 June, torchbearers will visit Minsk landmarks, attend the greeting ceremony for athletes at the Athletes' Village. The Flame of Peace torch relay will finish at Dinamo National Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony of the 2nd European Games on 21 June.
Taking part in the torch relay are 450 people. Among them are the country's best athletes, outstanding scholars, culture and art figures.
Minsk will host the 2nd European Games on 21-30 June. Over 4,000 athletes from 50 countries will compete for 200 medal sets in 15 sports.
