According to Spyros Capralos the EOC President, June proved to be another significant and productive month for the European Olympic Committees (EOC). In his monthly newsletter he highlighted by the successful staging of the 55th EOC General Assembly in Budapest on 12-13 June.
The General Assembly brought together representatives from all 50 National Olympic Committees across Europe and was particularly notable as it marked the first attendance of newly elected International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry. Addressing delegates, Coventry praised Europe’s continued leadership within the Olympic Movement and outlined her vision for the future of the Olympic family.
One of the key moments of the Assembly was the unanimous support expressed by the National Olympic Committees for EOC President Spyros Capralos to stand as a candidate for the presidency of the Association of National Olympic Committees. The endorsement was described as a strong reflection of the progress achieved by the EOC in recent years.
Mr Spyros Capralos the EOC President said that the Assembly also followed the outcomes of the 146th IOC Session in Lausanne, where the initial results of the IOC’s “Fit for the Future” process were presented. Among the landmark initiatives announced was the introduction of the Fit for the Future Olympian Grant, which will see every athlete competing at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games receive a grant of US$10,000.
Preparations for the 4th European Games Istanbul 2027 also gathered momentum during June. Delegates received an encouraging presentation from the Organising Committee, while a successful Chefs de Mission Seminar held in Istanbul reinforced confidence in the event’s preparations. The EOC also confirmed the extension of its broadcasting partnership with the European Broadcasting Union through to 2031.
He added that on 16 June, organisers officially marked the one-year countdown to the European Games, with expectations growing that the event will provide Europe’s top athletes with an important opportunity to secure qualification for the 2028 Summer Olympics. The EOC also reported strong interest from potential hosts for the 2031 edition of the Games.
Preparations also continued for next year’s Winter and Summer European Youth Olympic Festivals (EYOFs). During the month, organisers unveiled “Dodo” as the official mascot for the Lignano Sabbiadoro 2027 European Youth Olympic Festival. The EOC reaffirmed the importance of the EYOF programme in nurturing Europe’s next generation of sporting talent.
Recognition was also given to outstanding young athletes, with Estonian pole vaulter Allika Inkeri Moser and Romanian fencer Amalia Covaliu jointly receiving the 14th Summer Piotr Nurowski Prize during the General Assembly.
He concluded by stating ‘Looking ahead, the EOC expressed confidence about the second half of the year and the build-up towards an exciting 2027, which will feature the European Games, two editions of the European Youth Olympic Festival and the Games of the Small States of Europe’
