The Flame of Peace for the 2nd edition of the European Games was lit at the historic Ara Pacis in Rome, marking the start of an international torch relay that will culminate at the Opening Ceremony in Minsk, Belarus on 21 June.

The Flame of Peace Lighting Ceremony was attended by European Olympic Committee (EOC) President Janez Kocijančič, EOC Secretary General Raffaele Pagnozzi, European Games Coordination Commission Chair Spyros Capralos, and European Games Coordination Commission Deputy Chair Zlatko Mateša. President of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) Giovanni Malagò delivered a welcome speech.
\The 2nd European Games Minsk 2019 will take place from 21-30 June. Over 4,000 of Europe’s best athletes will compete in 15 sports at the European Games: 3×3 basketball, archery, athletics, badminton, beach soccer, boxing, canoe sprint, cycling, gymnastics, judo, karate, sambo, shooting, table tennis and wrestling.

Eight of the 15 sports will act as qualifiers for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, with the European Games also counting as the official European championships for two sports.