The Executive Committee of the European Olympic Committee (EOC) met in Skopje for the opening of the European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF), which is already underway and brings together more than 4,000 athletes and officials from 50 delegations, including the EOC Refugee Team and athletes from the Belarus Olympic Committee, until July 26.

During the meeting, the EOC highlighted the importance of the EYOF as a space that promotes coexistence among talented young people aged 14 to 18 from all over Europe, providing them with experience in international multi-sport events and bringing them closer to the values of Olympism.

Coordination between the EOC and the local organization

The Executive Committee reaffirmed its commitment to collaborate with the Organizing Committee and the participating delegations to ensure the success of the festival in Skopje, which began this weekend. Close coordination between all parties is key to the development of a landmark edition.

EOC President Spyros Capralos presented a report highlighting the work of the organization’s consultants in supporting the organization of EYOF Skopje 2025. His speech highlighted the experience provided by the EOC structures.

Positive assessment of recent EOC events

Capralos also mentioned the impact of the Games of the Small States of Europe held in Andorra, where 112,000 spectators watched the competition live for the first time via EOC TV.

The meeting also featured reports from Carlo Mornati, EOC Secretary General; Peter Mennel, Treasurer; Jan Lehmann, Executive Director; Gunilla Lindberg, ANOC Secretary General; and Folker Hellmund, Head of the EOC Office in the European Union.

Progress towards the 2027 European Games

Among the topics discussed were preparations for the 2027 European Games in Istanbul and confirmation of the final composition of the EOC commissions and working groups, defined together with their respective chairpersons following the last committee meeting held in Rome.

The Executive Committee also reviewed the calendar of events for the remainder of the year, which includes the EOC seminar in Malta, the European Athletes’ Forum and the General Assembly in London, as well as the European Sports Evening in November.

Strengthening ties with European institutions

At the close of the meeting, the EOC thanked the European Union for its involvement in promoting sport across the continent and expressed its willingness to continue strengthening institutional collaboration in the coming months.

After the session, Capralos referred to the inspiring role of the festival: “The EYOF is a very important and unique event for young athletes in Europe. For many of them, it will be their first experience of a multi-sport competition. The EYOF represents a great opportunity to discover the Olympic Values and the beauty of Olympism.”