MINSK, Belarus (AP) " The capital of Belarus was chosen Friday to host the 2019 European Games, despite criticism of the country's human rights record and concerns over the cost of the event. The European Olympic Committees approved Minsk " the only candidate " by an overwhelming majority to host the second edition of the multi-sport games. We don't know the financial consequences," Danish Olympic Committee general secretary Morten Moelholm Hansen told The Associated Press. Belarus Olympic Committee general secretary Anatoly Kotov said he expected to have between 10 and 15 sports on the program, compared to more than 20 last year. "We want to see track and field but it must be competitions of the top division, qualifying for the Olympic Games," Kotov said.

Source: New Zealand Herald October 21, 2016 13:18 UTC