Netherlands expected to host 2019 European Games: EOC

The European Olympic Committee is nominating the Netherlands to host the 2019 European Games on Sunday, newswire AFP confirmed on Wednesday. The EOC will hold an assembly in Turkey on Saturday where it will listen to the final proposal from the Netherlands and give its approval. “The EOC has identified its preferred hosts, the Netherlands Olympic Committee, and they will present their proposed European Games concept to the general assembly in Belek on Saturday,” said EOC President Pat Hickey. If the Dutch proposal is ratified, the EOC will continue negotiations with all stakeholders, including the Dutch government until a definitive plan is finalized, Hickey commented. Amsterdam, The Hague and Eindhoven are expected to be the principal locations for the Netherlands' plan. Rotterdam and Utrecht declined to participate because of the expense they would have to carry. European sports officials are keeping other countries in mind in case a replacement for the Netherlands is needed. Azerbaijan will host the first European Games in June.