European Olympic Committees (EOC) President Janez Kocijančič welcomed International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach to Minsk today for the final day of competition at the 2nd European Games.

The two presidents attended the badminton finals together at the Falcon Club before visiting Minsk Arena to take in gymnastics, where President Bach awarded the medals in the Men’s Pommel Horse event to David Belyavskiy of Russia (gold), Oleg Verniaiev of Ukraine (silver), and Andrey Likhovitskiy of Belarus (bronze).

The IOC President also attended wrestling at the Sports Palace, handing out the medals in the Men’s Greco-Roman +130kg, won by Belarusian Kiryl Hryshchanka.

Asked what he thought of the European Games, Bach said: “What I have seen so far, and heard so far, it’s very well-organised. The atmosphere is obviously very good but I’m just here for a few hours so I can only refer to what I’ve heard from the European Olympic Committees and they are obviously very happy.”

For his part, Hryshchanka said he was inspired by his brief meeting with the IOC President during the medal ceremony. “It was a pleasure,” said Hryshchanka. “He wished me good luck and also told that we would meet each other at future events. It gives me some extra strength and motivation.”

Later tonight Bach will attend the Closing Ceremony of the Games with other world dignitaries, including Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Earlier in the day, Bach met with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko at the Independence Palace.