CNN Reporter Completes 16-Hour Trip Around Ukrainian Euro-2012 Host Cities

KYIV, Ukraine, November 30, 2011 -

The celebrity sports anchor for CNN International Pedro Pinto held a press conference in Kyiv today to discuss his tour around Ukraine. On November 29, 2011, Pinto together with the Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine - Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine Borys Kolesnikov visited all four Ukrainian cities that will host the European Football Championship EURO-2012. “It’s been a fantastic experience,” opened the press-conference the CNN journalist.

Pedro Pinto presented sample videos from a series of freshly made editorial materials to be aired on CNN. The bits about Ukraine, interviews with major sports stars in both countries [Ukraine and Poland] were produced during Pinto’s first day in Ukraine on November 29, 2011. The airing will be timed with the draw for the final stages of Euro 2012 to take place in Kyiv on December 2, 2011.

Pinto discussed his “unforgettable experience” throughout the “crazy 16-hour trip” around Ukraine, his favorite stadiums and host cities. “The stadiums are ready. Everyone is happy about the stadiums,” said Pinto, branding Donbass Arena as his favorite. “The city that impressed me the most was Lviv. The culture, architecture - they are amazing,” he continued.

As for the infrastructure of the host cities, the CNN journalist considered Donetsk most prepared for hosting EURO-2012. He noted that Kyiv was also ready but Donetsk had “more experience with the stadium” as Donbass Arena was built several years ago. Pinto said that some infrastructure and development issues remain but in his experience a lot was done last minute at many high profile international sports events and there is nothing wrong with that.

Pedro Pinto emphasized that the underdeveloped infrastructure should not be much of a problem for fans since everyone could get a guidebook, use GPS and eventually find their way around. “Nowadays there is no excuse for the fans to get lost,” he noted. Even in London - a city with one of the most developed infrastructures in the world - people are concerned about transportation issues during the upcoming Olympic Games, shared the journalist.

“Football fans are coming for football,” concluded Pinto. He believed the fans are not going to be critical and it’s the moments and atmosphere that count.

For more information, please contact Maria Ivanova +380443324784 news at wnu-ukraine.com, Project Manager at Worldwide News Ukraine.