"Infrastructure, experience, friendly fans and financial participation - this is our commitment to the UEC and the athletes of 50 cycling federations," tweeted Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte. In his reply tweet to the Prime Minister, the UEC was open-minded: "We would be happy to develop your proposal further."
According to Lithuanian media reports, the arena in Panevezys is being considered as the venue for the European Championships. The indoor arena in the town in the north of the Baltic EU country has a 250 metre-long cycling track. The Cido Arena already hosted the European Cycling Championships in 2012.
On Wednesday, the UEC cancelled the European Track Cycling Championships planned from 23 to 27 June due to the tense political situation. Several European cycling federations had previously withdrawn their participation in the title fights - including the German Cycling Federation (BDR) and the Lithuanian Cycling Federation.
On Sunday, Belarus forced a Ryanair plane to land in Minsk and had the government critic Roman Protassevich, who was on board, arrested. The action sparked international outrage and led to EU sanctions, which include a ban on flights and landings by Belarusian airlines.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:210527-99-763464/4
