Lukashenko to take part in 2nd CIS Games opening ceremony

The President of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, will take part in the opening ceremony of the 2nd CIS Games at Minsk-Arena which includes a cultural programme (over 1,000 people are involved in it) and an official part

In 2019, the CIS Council of Heads of Government decided to establish the CIS Games, which were first held in 2021 in Kazan in 16 sports with the participation of 1,139 athletes from nine countries. At that time, the Belarusian team was placed fifth, claiming 69 medals (9 gold, 31 silver, and 29 bronze).

In 2023, the 2nd CIS Games are being held in Belarus from August 4th-14th, with athletes competing in twenty sports at twenty-one sports facilities of the country, fighting for a total of 246 sets of medals. Adult athletes will participate in rhythmic gymnastics, beach football, sambo, weightlifting and field hockey while youth and junior teams will take part in other sports.

Sports delegations from nine CIS countries are taking part in the event: Azerbaijan (in 14 sports), Armenia (13), Belarus (20), Kazakhstan (12), Kyrgyzstan (15), Russia (20), Tajikistan (12), Turkmenistan (12), Uzbekistan (20). Of the countries that are not CIS member states, Bahrain, Venezuela, Vietnam, Egypt, Iran, Yemen, Kuwait, Cuba, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mongolia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Pakistan have confirmed their participation in certain sports.