Lisa Worthmann, General Director of the European Union of Gymnastics (UEG), has completed a site inspection of Minsk Arena, which will host the acrobatic, aerobic, artistic, rhythmic and trampoline events at the 2019 European Games from 21-30 June.

Worthmann and her counterparts at the Minsk European Games Organising Committee (MEGOC) discussed a number of topics, including details of the competition schedule for gymnastics and upcoming test events.

“The organisation of test competitions is a great way to test your strengths and capabilities before the main start,” Worthmann said. “After test events you can improve not only the infrastructure but also the way the organising team works.”

The UEG representative said she has high expectations for Minsk 2019, adding that events at the European Games level always attract a lot of spectators and generate a huge amount of media coverage, which can have a positive effect on the development of sport.

“We have many different competitions at the European level, but we will pay special attention to the test event for the 2nd European Games in April,” Worthmann continued. “The main issues will be discussed four months prior the start [of the European Games].”

In total, 4,082 athletes from all 50 European National Olympic Committees will compete in 15 sports in Minsk: 3×3 basketball, archery, athletics, badminton, beach soccer, beach volleyball, boxing, canoe sprint, cycling, judo, karate, sambo, shooting, table tennis and wrestling. Ten of the 15 sports will act as qualifiers for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, with the European Games also counting as the official European championships for four sports.

There will be 91 men’s events, 89 women’s events and 21 mixed events in total, with 115 universality spots available. All sporting venues will be located a maximum 30 minutes’ drive from the Athletes’ Village, ensuring athletes can easily travel to training and competition facilities.