Belarus to host 2014 world ice hockey championship

Belarus will host the 2014 world ice hockey championship, according to the voting today at IIHF's annual congress in Bern. Belarus' bid won in the first round of voting.  75 delegates voted for Belarus, while 24 voted for Hungary. Latvia received 3 votes and Ukraine -- 2. One delegate abstained. The Czech Republic withdrew its bid in March 2009.

The Belta news agency notes that only Latvia hosted the tournament (2006).

Belarus plans to host the championship at Minsk Arena which can accommodate 15,000 people. The complex will be put in service in November 2009. The second facility (7700 seats) will have been built in the Chyzhouka district in Minsk by 2011.


Photo by IIHF