The President of Georgia, Mikheil Kavelashvili, officially opened the Winter European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) Bakuriani 2025 at a memorable Opening Ceremony. The event took place at the Kids Sport Ski Arena, where traditional Georgian dancers and musical performances entertained the dignitaries and spectators. They warmly welcomed the young athletes as they paraded through the venue.
President Kavelashvili was joined by European Olympic Committees (EOC) President Spyros Capralos, Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Kobakhidze, EYOF Bakuriani 2025 Organising Committee President Mamuka Khabareli, Georgian NOC President Leri Khabelov, members of the EOC Executive Committee, and other representatives of the Georgian parliament.
EOC President Capralos expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome and remarked that the spirit of the EYOF was already evident. He also mentioned the importance of the EYOF in the European Olympic Movement, giving young athletes the opportunity to compete in an international multi-sport event and learn about the Olympic Values. He wished all the athletes good luck in their competitions and thanked the EYOF Bakuriani 2025 Organising Committee for their hard work in ensuring the success of the event.
President Khabareli also expressed his delight in finally welcoming Europe’s best young winter athletes to Georgia and thanked the EOC for their collaboration in preparing for the event. He believed that hosting the EYOF would lead to a bright future for Georgian winter sports and leave a lasting legacy through the new facilities in Tbilisi and Batumi. The musical acts at the Opening Ceremony were performed by the Choir of the Holy Trinity Cathedral and an orchestra led by Georgian maestro Nika Nikvashvili, with the State Academic Ensemble of Georgian Song and Dance also performing.
The Ceremony concluded with Koba Tsakadze and Anastasia Mirianashvili lighting the Cauldron of the 17th Winter EYOF with the Flame of Peace. Nearly 900 athletes from 45 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) will compete in eight sports between 9 and 16 February, with ice hockey already starting on 6 February. The full programme includes events such as Alpine and freestyle skiing, short track speed skating, and biathlon.
