Organizers of the World Championship on cycle track promises to participants and guests of the reception at the highest level
After a few days Belarus will hostess of a landmark sporting event. From 20th to 24th February in «Minsk-Arena» will be the World Championship on cycle track. Tournament of this level on the Olympic discipline among adult athletes, our country did not yet carry out. How was the preparation for it? How many sets of medals will be played in the capital velodrome? How much is expected of participants and guests? The last question was starting to interview the correspondent of «R» with the executive director of the Belarusian Cycling Federation and director of the organizing committee of the tournament`s top Alexey IVANOV.
— In total, we plan to take about 2 000 foreigners, – Alexey Vladimirovich says. – There are athletes, their coaches, team leaders, national federations and the International Cycling Union (UCI), judges, sponsors, journalists and, of course, the fans. A week before the start the right to participate in the championship received 48 countries. Closing date for applications is 19 February. To contest the 19 sets of medals (10 – in male kind of sport, 9 – in women) will be more than 400 racers.
— As will be organized reception by participants and guests? Are there for them «indulgences» at border crossings?
— They will be placed in the top 12 hotels in the capital. The official is a «Crown Plaza». Foreign citizens according to presidential decree exempt from the visa fee for visa issuance. I think they will be no difficulty and with transportation of baggage, including sports. At will the representatives of some countries can get visas directly at the National Airport Minsk-2.
— How many journalists will cover the tournament? How will they work as well as live TV?
— In total, working in «Minsk-Arena» are going about 300 Belarusian and foreign representatives of mass media. At their disposal is a well-equipped press center with necessary communication channels, wired and wireless Internet. Live broadcasts of events will take place BTRC channel «Belarus-2», as a contract was signed. The estimated TV audience is about 150 million people. 25 countries intend to conduct the live coverage from Minsk, and 75 – in the record.
— Will be volunteers to serve the tournament? Where sold souvenirs and why it does not have the traditional mascot?
— We have about 100 young assistants. There are primarily students who speak foreign languages. Prepared a variety of souvenirs with symbols of the World Championship, the implementation of which will be held at the velodrome. We also had the idea for the mascot. But we decided to give it up, because in the annals of the world championships no such tradition. But I think that we`ve got a fairly good slogan to upcoming events: «You will win in Minsk!»
— How many medals our countrymen expect to receive on the home world championship?
— We hope that the podium is not without representatives of Belarus. We have a world champion Olga Panarin, which must confirm your class. We have a chance in the women`s team pursuit, where they had good results in the European competition and the World Cup.
