The significance of the decision goes beyond the size of the programme. The EOC itself has underlined that the European Games will offer broad Olympic qualification opportunities, both through direct quota places and ranking systems, although the final inclusion of each sport remains subject to the conclusion of agreements with the respective federations. In that framework, the approved programme not only increases the competitive weight of Istanbul 2027, but also helps shape a large part of the European sporting block with Los Angeles in mind.

Squash, weightlifting and beach sprint rowing are the main additions

Among the additions with the greatest strategic value, squash stands out. It will make its debut at the European Games Istanbul 2027 and will also make its first Olympic appearance at LA28. Its relevance goes beyond symbolism, as the official qualification system for Los Angeles 2028 specifically identifies the European Games in Istanbul as the European continental qualifying event, making the 2027 edition a direct step on the sport’s Olympic pathway.

Weightlifting will be another debut sport in the programme, and its inclusion also carries clear Olympic significance. The International Weightlifting Federation -IWF- presented the addition of the sport to the European Games Istanbul 2027 as a particularly important development for the discipline, through an agreement reached with the European Weightlifting Federation -EWF- and with a qualification function for LA28. At the same time, beach sprint rowing will also make its debut at the European Games at a moment of international growth for the discipline, which has already secured its Olympic debut in Los Angeles 2028 as one of the new additions to the rowing programme.

The programme brings back established sports and deepens its link to LA28

The approved programme also includes several returns with clear weight inside the European Olympic landscape. Gymnastics, volleyball and wrestling will return to the European Games after missing Kraków-Małopolska 2023, in a sign that Istanbul 2027 is not only adding new sports, but also rebuilding part of the event’s traditional core with three disciplines of strong competitive and institutional importance.

That block is joined by other sports whose presence gains value through their place in Olympic qualification systems or in the wider route to LA28. The approved programme includes disciplines such as shooting, archery, sport climbing, triathlon and modern pentathlon, while the EOC continues to stress that the European Games will offer qualification opportunities through direct quota places and ranking systems. In some cases, such as squash, that connection is already explicitly set out in the official documentation for the road to Los Angeles.

Istanbul 2027 gains competitive depth before announcing its venues

The approval of the programme also comes at a broader stage of organisational consolidation for the project. At the first EOC meeting of the year, held in Rome, the organisation reviewed preparations for Istanbul 2027 together with representatives of the Turkish Olympic Committee, the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the local organising committee, following the Coordination Commission’s first visit to Istanbul in January. As part of that process, the EOC officially incorporated the Istanbul 2027 Organising Committee into the event’s contractual framework through an amendment to the Host City Contract, a step that strengthened the governance structure of the Games with 15 months to go.

With the programme now approved, Istanbul 2027 is set to feature 26 sports and disciplines, 22 of them Olympic, with the debut of squash, weightlifting and beach sprint rowing at the European Games, and the return of gymnastics, volleyball and wrestling to the continental calendar. The next step will be to finalise the outstanding agreements with the federations and announce the distribution of competition venues at a later stage, within an edition that the EOC already presents as a key platform in the European cycle leading to Los Angeles 2028.

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The move goes beyond a protocol visit. The EOC EU Office presented the EWF delegation with its network of direct cooperation with European institutions and the work it is already carrying out through projects funded by the European Union -EU-, particularly under Erasmus+ Sport. For the continental federation, the agreement opens a more structured path to connect weightlifting with initiatives linked to governance, inclusion, awareness and organisational development.

More weight in Brussels

Speaking to SportsIn, Dr. Astrit Hasani, President of the EWF, placed the alliance on a clearly political and institutional level. “This collaboration represents a new chapter for weightlifting in Europe, centred on growth, innovation and a stronger projection of our sport within the European Union,” he said. From that perspective, the federation sees the agreement not only as a gateway to funding, but also as a way to strengthen its position within the continental sports ecosystem and the Olympic Movement.

That reading matches what the EOC EU Office itself conveyed during the meeting. As it explained to the EWF delegation, it has developed a number of tools through its Erasmus+ Sport projects to help sports organisations improve awareness, inclusion and governance, while also making access to European funding easier for grassroots bodies and smaller organisations. Hasani stressed that the federation shares with the EOC “the commitment to strengthen cooperation and to continue consolidating weightlifting’s position within the Olympic Movement, for the benefit of athletes, coaches and everyone dedicated to this sport across Europe”, a line that gives meaning to an alliance designed to go beyond simple institutional representation.

Erasmus+ and new pathways

One of the most relevant aspects of the meeting was its practical dimension. The EOC Office will be responsible for working on and managing any future EWF application, within a system that, according to what was explained in Brussels, offers fairer application mechanisms, clearer evaluation criteria and, as a result, better chances of success for projects submitted through that structure. Added to that will be specific training so that European weightlifting can learn how to prepare Erasmus+ funding applications correctly.

The broader intention is for the EWF itself to be able in future to rely on staff trained to deal directly with the EU, always in cooperation with the EOC Office. At the same time, the meeting also clarified what kinds of initiatives can be supported. The European Union does not fund competitions themselves, but it can support everything around a championship or event: volunteer programmes, school visits to competitions, training camps and seminars on Women in Sport, athlete safeguarding, inclusion or new training modules linked to strength sports.

From the European level to the national one

The scope of the alliance does not stop at the continental level. Another element the EWF considers especially important is that the EU provides annual funding to each European nation for grassroots organisations and smaller national bodies. The federation will now receive the contacts for EU member countries with the aim of sharing them with national weightlifting federations, so that direct applications at national level can also be explored.

That approach explains why the EWF leadership wanted to give the initiative a clearly defined internal structure from the outset. Speaking to SportsIn, Astrit Hasani stressed: “The EWF, and I personally, consider this collaboration with the EOC to be of great importance”. He added that “by decision of the Executive Board -EB-, our Vice President Stian Grimseth and Denise Offermann, a member of the Technical Committee, have been appointed as project coordinators”, a designation through which the federation wants to reflect “the special importance” it attaches to the success of this new phase. The EWF is already working with the aim of submitting its first joint EWF-EOC/EU application before the summer of 2026.

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The Commission is chaired by Mihai Covaliu, a member of the EOC Executive Committee and President of the Romanian Olympic Committee, and is tasked with overseeing progress and providing ongoing support to the Organising Committee across key technical and organisational areas.

Budget, venues and sports programme under review

The programme begins on Wednesday with the first in-person working meeting, during which the Organising Committee will present updates on the budget, the masterplan and the sports programme planned for the 2027 edition, all central elements at this early stage of the planning cycle.

On Thursday, members of the Coordination Commission will visit proposed competition venues across Istanbul, with the aim of assessing facilities on site and their compliance with the technical and sporting requirements established for the European Games.

Covaliu underlines the strategic importance of the visit

Mihai Covaliu highlighted the significance of this first visit to the host city, with the Games scheduled for June 2027. “It will be a great pleasure for the Coordination Commission to hold our first full visit to Istanbul, a historic city with a strong passion for sport,” he said.

He added that, beyond reviewing organisational progress, the visit will help strengthen institutional cooperation and pointed to the role of the event within the Olympic calendar: “We are looking forward to visiting the venues that will host Europe’s best athletes and seeing many of them qualify for the Los Angeles Olympic Games.”

The EOC strengthens cooperation with Turkish organisers

For his part, Spyros Capralos, President of the European Olympic Committees -EOC-, said the first visit further builds momentum around Istanbul 2027 and underlined the continuity of the project within the European Olympic Movement. “The Coordination Commission will play a vital role by working closely with our partners in Türkiye to deliver a memorable event,” he stated.

The full composition of the Istanbul 2027 Coordination Commission was confirmed in November 2025 and includes representatives from the EOC Executive Committee, national Olympic committees, European federations, the EOC Athletes’ Commission, and experts from various areas of multi-sport event organisation.

The institutional framework of the project is completed by the Host Country Agreement signed between the European Olympic Committees -EOC- and the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Türkiye, underlining the commitment of all stakeholders to the organisation of the fourth edition of the European Games.

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As preparations move forward, collaboration between European sports bodies and Turkish institutions continues to strengthen. The confirmation of the EOC Coordination Commission, led by Mihai Covaliu and accompanied by a team of 25 members from across the continent, reinforces a structure designed to oversee each stage of the process. With its first visit scheduled for January 2026, this commission will be essential in ensuring that Türkiye’s largest city can meet the scale of the challenge involved in hosting one of the region’s most important multisport events.

An agreement that reaffirms Türkiye’s commitment to European sport

The signing of the Host Country Agreement by EOC President Spyros Capralos and Turkish Minister Osman Aşkın Bak stands as the central point of this new organizational phase. Capralos highlighted the strong relationship between the EOC and Turkish sports institutions, valuing the country’s experience in hosting major international events and the attention given to every detail to ensure a memorable edition. In his view, Istanbul brings together all the attributes needed to welcome the continent’s best athletes during a cycle in which many will be seeking qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

Minister Bak, for his part, emphasized the pride that hosting the European Games represents for Türkiye and reiterated the Government’s commitment to delivering an exceptional event. His message pointed toward a shared vision: showcasing the best of Turkish sport and the country’s hospitality, working closely with the EOC, the National Olympic Committee, and metropolitan authorities to offer an experience that honors Istanbul’s sporting legacy.

A diverse Coordination Commission prepared to face the challenge

At the head of the Coordination Commission is Mihai Covaliu, a two-time Olympic medalist in fencing, who underscored the importance of building collaborative work from day one. His leadership seeks to integrate the experience and diversity of a team of 25 European representatives who will oversee progress in each area, from infrastructure to operations, ensuring that the expectations of athletes and fans are met with excellence.

The work of this commission will be key to continuing the legacy of the Kraków–Małopolska 2023 European Games, where more than 100 quota places were awarded for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. With the sports program still being defined, Istanbul 2027 is emerging as a crucial chapter in the qualification pathway toward Los Angeles 2028, reinforcing the importance of coordinated work that is now beginning to take clearer shape.

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The event took place at the Representation of the State of Baden-Württemberg to the European Union, with the participation of IOC President Kirsty Coventry, EOC President Spyros Capralos and European Commissioner Glenn Micallef, responsible for Youth, Culture and Sport. All 49 European National Olympic Committees were invited to the evening, which centred around the theme “Sport is More Than a Game”.

Strategic cooperation between the EU and the NOCs

Earlier in the day, the Presidents of the National Olympic Committees of EU Member States, together with members of the EOC Executive Committee, held a meeting with Commissioner Micallef at the headquarters of the European Commission. The discussion formed part of the consultation process on “A Strategic Vision for Sport in Europe: Reinforcing the European Sport Model”, with a focus on strengthening governance and institutional coordination.

During the session, Commissioner Micallef emphasised the need to advance towards a solid standard of cooperation between the European Union and the Olympic Movement. Topics addressed included the responsible autonomy of sports organisations, system integrity and alignment with the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union in an environment that demands regulatory clarity.

Coventry highlights the social role of sport

Opening the evening programme, Kirsty Coventry underlined the value of sport as a tool for social impact, noting its capacity to improve education, promote inclusion and strengthen communities. Spyros Capralos highlighted the core principles of the European Sport Model, built on solidarity, sporting merit and the autonomy of sports structures, and stressed the shared responsibility to safeguard these foundations.

The evening also included a panel titled “More Than a Game”, moderated by former Olympic alpine skier Ana Jelusic Black. The speakers — Kersti Kaljulaid (Estonia), Amélie Oudéa-Castéra (France), Jean-Michel Saive (Belgium) and Commissioner Micallef — analysed the role of sport in areas such as public health, education, sports diplomacy and social cohesion.

Governance programmes and priorities for the coming years

The European National Olympic Committees and the European Olympic Committees highlighted progress in governance through projects such as SIGGS 3.0, SAFE HARBOUR and OCEAN, coordinated by the EOC EU Office and co-funded by the European Union. They also emphasised the work carried out with Athletes’ Commissions and the development of structured social dialogue within the European sport ecosystem.

Participants noted the importance of securing adequate funding for sport in the upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework 2028–2034, alongside strengthening the Erasmus+ Sport programme and deepening the integration of sport into other EU funding schemes. The evening included a tribute to Folker Hellmund, who concluded more than 16 years as Director of the EOC EU Office, and closed with networking activities and joint engagement in the Sports Village supported by Decathlon.

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The event will serve as a platform for dialogue on key topics such as representation, integrity and communication, reinforcing the role of athletes at the heart of the European Olympic Movement. “This Forum and Assembly is a cornerstone of our commitment to athlete representation,” said Spyros Capralos, EOC President.

A platform for representation and decision-making

The EOC Athletes’ Forum is part of a long-standing tradition that has been held for over a decade, with previous editions in Dublin, Rome and Madrid focused on empowerment, communication and cooperation among national athletes’ commissions. Its purpose is twofold: to serve as a meeting place for national representatives and to act as an electoral assembly for the EOC Athletes’ Commission, which sits on the EOC Executive Committee and contributes to governance and development decisions.

The Forum will feature addresses from Spyros Capralos, EOC Secretary General Carlo Mornati, IOC Executive Board and EOC Executive Committee Member Emma Terho, and EOC Athletes’ Commission Chair Alistair Brownlee. Also speaking will be Gaby Ahrens, Chair of the ANOCA Athletes’ Commission and Member of the WADA Athlete Committee, along with Olivier Niamkey, Associate Director of Olympic Solidarity, who will host a Q&A session with participants.

Preventing manipulation and improving communication

The agenda includes sessions on preventing competition manipulation and social media strategies for Athletes’ Commissions, two topics considered essential for athlete protection, education and public engagement. These will be complemented by workshops on digital communication, inter-commission cooperation and integrity in sport.

“This Forum is a crucial opportunity for athlete representatives across Europe to help shape the future of our Commission,” said Alistair Brownlee. “The voices and perspectives of those elected will ensure that athletes’ interests are represented at the highest levels of European sport.”

Elections and composition of the new Athletes’ Commission

Elections for the EOC Athletes’ Commission 2025–2029 will be held on the Forum’s second day, with 16 candidates from summer sports and two from winter sports. Each National Athletes’ Commission may cast one vote per position, selecting six summer sport representatives, while the two winter sport candidates will automatically join the new Commission.

Among the summer sport candidates are Zorana Arunovic (Serbia, shooting), Michelle Coleman (Sweden, swimming), Eda Erdem Dündar (Türkiye, volleyball), Raffaella Masciadri (Italy, basketball), Allison Pineau (France, handball) and Mykhailo Romanchuk (Ukraine, swimming). Winter sport candidates include Dinos Jr. Lefkaritis (Cyprus, alpine skiing) and Johanna Taliharm (Estonia, biathlon).

Cooperation and development within the European Olympic Movement

Throughout its editions, the EOC Athletes’ Forum has helped strengthen the network of National Athletes’ Commissions and their influence within the European Olympic system. The 2019 edition in Dublin highlighted the importance of “keeping athletes at the centre of every decision.” This year’s hybrid format allows participation from across Europe, promoting exchange of best practices and institutional collaboration.

In addition to the key thematic debates, the Forum will also address the funding of athlete support programmes, career transition policies and cooperation mechanisms with Olympic Solidarity, in line with the priorities of the International Olympic Committee -IOC-.

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A shared commitment to a sustainable future

During the session, representatives from ANOC and the COE agreed on the need to turn sustainability ambitions into measurable and effective actions. This practical approach aims to leverage existing resources and knowledge, integrating instruments such as dashboards and sustainability frameworks that enable transparent and consistent monitoring of progress. Every step taken, no matter how small, moves toward a common goal: reducing sport’s environmental footprint without compromising its inclusive and transformative essence.

The value of this meeting also lay in its inspirational nature. By bringing together diverse perspectives under a single purpose, it reinforced the idea that sustainability is not an isolated goal but a way of thinking and acting collectively. In this sense, collaboration between international organizations and national committees serves as an example of how sport can lead, by example, a paradigm shift toward a more responsible approach to the planet.

The leadership of the sustainability commission

Under the guidance of Anne Marie Phelps, chair of the Commission, the group continues to review its mandate and refine its long-term objectives. Its work seeks not only to align strategies but also to inspire other sports bodies to follow a more conscious and environmentally committed path. This vision outlines a model of governance where environmental progress translates into collective well-being and lasting legacy.

The meeting, more than an administrative event, reflected the power of cooperation within the Olympic Movement. The synergy between ANOC and the COE symbolizes a shared conviction: that Olympic values can be transformed into concrete actions for a more sustainable future. From this perspective, sport not only celebrates human performance but also humanity’s ability to care for and preserve the world that makes it possible.

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The session was marked by a spirit of collaboration and commitment. Under the leadership of Spyros Capralos, president of the EOC, the members of the Executive reviewed the progress made in the preparations for Istanbul 2027 and celebrated the recent appointment of Prof. Dr. Veli Ozan Çakır as Director General of the Organizing Committee. In addition, reflection was given to the European Youth Olympic Festival in Skopje, an event that, beyond record figures in digital audiences, left lessons and learnings that will strengthen the future of this youth gathering.

On the road to Istanbul 2027: an opportunity for unity and growth

The preparation of the European Games in Istanbul was one of the central topics of the meeting. The previous visit of an EOC delegation to Turkey highlighted the host country’s commitment and the willingness to work hand in hand with European sports institutions. Meetings with authorities such as the Minister of Youth and Sports, Osman Aşkın Bak, and the President of the Turkish National Olympic Committee, Ahmet Gülüm, reinforced the importance of this event being not only a sports competition, but also a space for cultural integration and the strengthening of Olympic values.

The appointment of Veli Ozan Çakır as Director General of the Organizing Committee brings experience and leadership to a project that is already generating excitement across Europe. With this designation, Istanbul 2027 begins to take shape, projecting itself as an edition capable of leaving a legacy beyond sports, opening doors for new generations to find in sport a pathway of opportunities.

A year of learnings, gatherings, and achievements for European sport

The balance of the EOC also included a grateful look at the European Youth Olympic Festival, held in Skopje, which brought together young athletes from across the continent. The patience and cooperation of the National Olympic Committees were recognized as key elements for the success of the event, which achieved a historic record of 1.36 million visits on EOC.TV, reflecting the interest and connection these types of competitions generate among young audiences.

In addition, the meeting in Malta opened the door to the events that will close 2025. The 45th EOC Seminar and the Olympic Solidarity Forum, with a more participatory and interactive format, will allow the NOCs to share ideas and common challenges. Added to this are the 8th European Athletes’ Forum in London and the European Sport Night in Brussels, which will continue a year in which sport has once again shown that, beyond medals, its true value lies in unity, cooperation, and shared hope.

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In collaboration with Olympic Solidarity, the EOC has designed a renewed and interactive format that goes beyond traditional sessions. The aim is to create an environment that encourages open dialogue, joint reflection, and the exchange of practical knowledge, ensuring that each committee returns home with tools to improve governance, support athletes, and strengthen the principles of transparency in sport.

A space for knowledge sharing

The working programme will allow National Olympic Committees to connect, reflect, and reinforce their role as leaders in promoting the values of Olympism. This edition is designed to provide useful tools that enhance the capacity of NOCs to effectively support athletes and guarantee a solid and transparent governance framework.

Over the course of two days, six thematic workshops will be held, each aimed at delivering practical solutions to key issues: governance and management within the EOC, the use of artificial intelligence to enhance NOC operations, athlete integrity and career transition, athlete development and participation in EOC events, sustainability in sport, and digital communication and marketing strategies.

Giving athletes a voice

The sessions will address basic principles and potential improvements in good governance within the EOC, alongside the integration of artificial intelligence in NOC management. The athlete-focused workshops will reinforce their voice in the system, protect their integrity, and support them throughout their career transitions.

Another focus will be the development of athletes from grassroots to elite levels through EOC events, as well as the contribution of sport to building a healthier and more sustainable world. In parallel, the digital communications block will explore strategies to strengthen brand identity and connect with increasingly global and diverse audiences.

Recognising young talent

The programme will also feature a highlight on Thursday, 3 October, when the 10th Winter Piotr Nurowski Prize for Best European Young Athlete will be announced during the Gala Dinner. The award, voted on by participating NOCs, recognises emerging winter sports talent, with five finalists shortlisted in this edition.

A day before the official opening of the seminar and forum, EOC President Spyros Capralos will lead the EOC Executive Committee meeting in Malta, where strategic issues for the near future will be discussed. President Capralos highlighted the importance of the gathering: “The aim is to create the right environment for NOCs to interact openly, exchange experiences and return home with practical knowledge that benefits their daily work.”

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The delegation included EOC Secretary General Carlo Mornati; Chair of the Istanbul 2027 Coordination Commission and Executive Committee member Mihai Covaliu; Executive Committee member Hasan Arat; Presidential Advisor Raffaele Pagnozzi; and CEO Jan Lehmann, in a series of meetings focused on the operational and strategic aspects of the event.

Coordination between the EOC and Turkish institutions

The European representatives were received by Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Aşkın Bak; Deputy Minister Hamza Yerlikaya; Director General of Sports Services Veli Ozan Çakır; and President of the Turkish National Olympic Committee -TMOK-, Ahmet Gülüm. Senior officials from the Ministry and TMOK also took part in the meetings.

The agenda addressed key issues of infrastructure, logistics and athlete services, with both sides showing full alignment around the objectives of Istanbul 2027. The support of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was underlined as a decisive factor in consolidating Türkiye’s status as a leading sporting nation.

Istanbul, experience and Olympic ambition

Capralos emphasized Türkiye’s “proven capacity to organize top-level competitions,” underlining that such experience will be crucial to ensuring a high-quality European Games. He also noted that “the celebration of the European Games in Istanbul will serve as preparation and will help move forward towards a future Olympic bid.”

For his part, Minister Aşkın Bak stressed that Istanbul “is a strong candidate for the 2036 Olympic Games,” adding that cooperation with the EOC represents another step in strengthening Türkiye’s international sporting profile.

A consolidated alliance with the EOC

The meetings highlighted the solidity of the partnership between the EOC and Turkish institutions. Both sides agreed on the importance of maintaining close coordination in the coming years to meet deadlines and ensure exemplary organization.

In this context, the 2027 European Games are positioned as a strategic element for Olympic projection: they will act as an operational test platform, a key step in Türkiye’s long-term strategy, a sustainable model through the use of existing infrastructure, and an international showcase that will also provide qualification opportunities for Los Angeles 2028.

The gathering concluded with a shared vision and renewed confidence that Istanbul will host a benchmark edition of the European Games in 2027.

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