Capralos: €500 for each athlete participated in the 2023 European Games
The 53rd European Olympic Committees (EOC) General Assembly was officially opened by President Spyros Capralos at the beginning of a day filled with reports and discussions on key topics in Bucharest.
Hosted at the stunning Palace of Parliament, International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach joined EOC Executive Committee members and representatives from European NOCs and other sporting organisations in the Romanian capital.
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.”
