PRESIDENT CAPRALOS HIGHLIGHTS EXCITING PERIOD FOR EUROPEAN SPORT AS 53RD EOC GENERAL ASSEMBLY BEGINS IN BUCHAREST
The 53rd European Olympic Committees (EOC) General Assembly was officially opened by President Spyros Capralos in Bucharest on 7 June.
Hosted at the Palace of Parliament, the General Assembly was attended by the EOC Executive Committee members, representatives from European NOCs, International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach and ANOC Secretary General Gunilla Lindberg as well as other sporting organisations.
President Capralos thanked the Romanian Olympic and Sports Committee President Mihai Covaliu, Secretary General George Boroi and their team for hosting the EOC to begin his report, before highlighting the opportunities ahead for European sport as the continent marked 50 days until the Olympic Games Paris 2024 begin.
He said: “This year is a special one for European Sport, with our European Games success in Poland a recent memory and many more special ones to be created in Paris at the Olympic Games. It will be the first Olympic Games at which national flags and the Olympic flag will be joined in all the venues by the European flag. This will send a powerful message about the unity of our continent.
“Up to now, our NOCs have been very busy preparing their athletes to qualify for the Games and now they are preparing for the success of their teams in Paris – which is exactly what we can expect. We are confident that European athletes will continue their leadership at the Games, and will again win more than 40% of the medals. This success does not come easily and I wish you all the very best for your final preparations.”
Furthermore, President Capralos highlighted the growing importance of the European Games following the Executive Committee’s (ExCo) approval for Istanbul as the host for 2027 in March, strengthened by the €3 million surplus from the 3rd edition in Poland which will be reinvested in NOCs.
He said: “The EOC Executive Committee was extremely impressed by Istanbul’s proposals which is why in March we unanimously approved having our Games there. Istanbul will deliver a no-build Games which delivers vital Olympic qualification opportunities one year out from LA28.
“I am also delighted to reveal that following the financial success of the European Games in Kraków and Małopolska, we will redistribute €3 million to the NOCs – €500 for each participating athlete. This further underlines the EOC’s commitment to ensuring the NOCs receive the most comprehensive support we have ever been able to offer.”
In addition, President Capralos focused on the important strengthening of the EOC’s alignment with Strategic Agenda 2030 following the appointment of Dr Jan Lehmann and the work that the EOC EU Office and the EOC Commissions and their Chairs continue to do.
On the opening day of the General Assembly, EOC Secretary General Raffaele Pagnozzi was awarded the Order of Merit Award for his distinguished services to sport. Voting also took place for the ninth edition of the Winter Piotr Nurowski Prize, which is awarded to the Best Young European Athlete aged 14-18, while the Janez Kocjančič Award trophy was unveiled ahead of its first winners being crowned and will be awarded to the best female and male athletes at European Games.
ANOC Secretary General Lindberg presented a report on ANOC’s recent activities including the number of webinars and seminars held for the benefit of NOCs.
In addition, the General Assembly heard reports from the EOC Treasurer and CEO, the IOC, the Paris 2024 and Milano Cortina 2026 Organising Committees and each of the EOC’s Commissions.
