Netherlands Withdraws From Hosting 2019 European Games

The Dutch government has withdrawn from hosting the 2019 European Games, the European Olympic Committees (EOC) said in a statement on Wednesday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The Netherlands were awarded the right to host the event by the EOC last month. The country reportedly withdraw due to a lack of financial support for the event from local government, the provinces and municipalities.

The announcement comes two days ahead of the inauguration of the first European Games to be held from June 12 to July 28 in Azerbaijan.

"This news is disappointing, but we would like to thank the Dutch for their interest," EOC President Patrick Hickey said as quoted in the statement.

He expressed confidence that the inaugural European Games in Baku "will be the ideal showcase for this new event and its long-term sporting, social and economic benefits."

The EOC said they were going to resume discussions with other potential hosts that previously expressed interest in hosting the Games after those in Baku.

The Baku 2015 European Games is the first high-profile sporting event hosted by Azerbaijan. Sports venues in the country will host nearly 6,000 athletes from 50 countries, who will compete in 20 sports.

The event has reportedly cost $10 billion.