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What will the European Games bring to ordinary Belarusians?

As Minsk prepares to hold another sports mega event this summer, it’s worth thinking about the people who have to bear the cost.

What will the European Games bring to ordinary Belarusians?
Flame lighting ceremony, Minsk, May 2019 | Press image: European Games
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In recent years, the Belarusian government has been trying hard to assure the outside world that Belarus is a democratic and safe country.

Of course, there’s more to the country than the “last European dictatorship” tag. But Alexander Lukashenko still wants to change this perception of Belarus. And in step with other authoritarian states, Lukashenko’s officials have turned to sport to achieve this, lobbying to hold the Second European Games in Minsk this June.

Here, I will explain what Belarusian citizens are having to go through as a result of this decision.