MOSCOW, 14 June (BelTA) – The forthcoming 2nd European Games will become a landmark event in the world of sports, Russian four-time Olympic champion in gymnastics Alexei Nemov said in an interview with BelTA.
“I am sure that the European Games in Minsk will be a landmark event in the world of sport. For the Belarusians it will be a very important and responsible tournament. I am sure that the guys who will compete in these games will make us happy. It be an opportunity for young athletes to prove themselves, to show everything they can and lay some groundwork for the Olympics in Tokyo and other future competitions,” Alexei Nemov said.
Alexei Nemov noted that he has met many gymnasts from Belarus and is friends with them. “Vitaly Scherbo, Ivan Ivankov were the athletes I looked up to. We are friends, have very good relationships. I wish that these games will be held at ahigh level. We'll be rooting for you,” the athlete added.
Minsk will host the 2nd European Games on 21-30 June. Over 4,000 athletes from 50 countries will compete in 15 sports. Competitions in eight sports will be qualifiers for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. The Russian delegation will be one of the most representative and will take part in all sports included in the program of the 2nd European Games. Team Russia will comprise 225 athletes, including five Olympic champions: Abdulrashid Sadulayev and Natalia Vorobieva (wrestling), Aleksey Alipov (shooting), Anastasia Maksimova and Maria Tolkacheva (rhythmic gymnastics). Seven-time world champion in sambo, Baku European Games champion Artem Osipenko has been recommended for the role of flag bearer.
