The official closing ceremony of the 2nd European Games is taking place in Minsk. It's a large-scale sporting event. Over 1,000 athletes from 50 European countries competed for 200 sets of medals. The Russian national team triumphantly took first place in the medal standings. President Putin arrived at the closing ceremony to greet the Russian athletes.
Evgeny Reshetnyov is reporting from Minsk.
On the final contest day, the Russian team kept winning more and more medals. By the way, the first gold medal in boxing was won right in front of the president. Russian Boxer Muslim Gadzhimagomedov defeated his Belarusian opponent in the final fight, bringing our team the 100th medal in the tournament for the moment. More medals followed shortly. Next to Putin sat the head of the Olympic Committee, Stanislav Pozdnyakov, and the new Russian ambassador to Belarus Dmitry, Mezentsev.
After our boxer's victory, the president did not leave the hall but attended the awarding ceremony of the athletes of the weight category of up to 75 kilograms. The winner was a Ukrainian, and Putin, together with the spectators, stood up during the Ukrainian anthem.
After the boxing match, the Russian president went to the gymnastics competitions, where Russia scored 4 gold medals out of 8. Again, Putin came at a good time. Russian athlete Angelina Melnikova performed brilliantly, taking first place. There, at the Minsk Arena sports complex, Vladimir Putin met with the head of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach. They actually met quite recently at the G20 summit. But there, they didn't have a chance to talk much. In less than a year, our athletes, many of whom successfully performed in Minsk, will go to the Olympics, which will be held in Japan.
Vladimir Putin: I listened attentively to your speech at the G20 summit. Of course, we wish our Japanese friends all the best in the preparation and hosting of the Olympic Games.
Thomas Bach, head of the IOC: We wanted to ask world leaders to support the Olympic Games, which unites nations. Because in these difficult times, for many countries, the unifying word of the Olympic Committee can bring peace.
- I think everyone supports your idea.
Today, Belarus is closing the great sports event. The cafeteria for athletes, where they were treated to Belarusian cuisine, isn't so crowded.
"Draniki and salmon forever!"
Thousands of volunteers are preparing for the closing ceremony. Russian athletes calculate numerous medals.
We are in the Olympic Village, where the president is meeting with the Russian athletes, who showed a brilliant performance at these games.
Vladimir Putin: It was amazing, beautiful, impressive! Thank you! I wish all the best to you! These games are seen as a trampoline to the future.
- On behalf of the Russian national team, let me offer you a jacket.
- Thanks!
- Thanks for coming to share this event with us!
Putin immediately changed his suit for the jacket inscribed with "Team Russia" and the symbols of the Russian team, which won the games ahead of time, scoring a total of 109 medals, 44 of which are gold.
Vladimir Putin: Take a photo with the photographers! You won't take pictures now, I hope.
- No, we won't.
Putin took a long time taking photos with the athletes in the stadium under the hot sun. It was over 85 degrees F in Minsk.
It was a bit cooler at President Lukashenko's countryside residence. First, the heads of Russia and Belarus spoke in private, then, they were joined by the president of Tajikistan.
Alerksandr Lukashenko
- Take a seat, Mr. Putin, Mr. Rahmon. We'll be as quick as the wind!
Vladimir Putin: Okay, but do you have a license?
Lukashenko gave his guests a lift to his residence in an electric cart. There, an informal no-ties meeting took place.
Emomali Rahmon: I was told it was a no-ties meeting.
Vladimir Putin: I can take mine off.
The closing ceremony of the European Games will take place this evening. The organizers promise a flamboyant spectacle.
Evgeny Reshetnyov, Alexander Aleksandronets, Margarita Kutilova, Oleg Peletsky, Alexandra Terpugova for Vesti — the News of the Week from Minsk, Belarus.
