The President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee and IOC Member Spyros Capralos announced his candidature for the Presidency of the European Olympic Committees, during the 49th General Assembly of the European Olympic Committees held by teleconference.
Addressing the members of the Executive Committee, Mr. Kapralos said:

Dear European Friends and Colleagues!

We, the European Olympic Committees, are an essential part of the Olympic family. But we are currently facing the most crucial challenges in unprecedented times.
It is therefore critical that we collaborate to create a strong EOC that:
· Can support Europe’s NOCs in our preparation for the Tokyo and Beijing Games, the exciting third edition of the European Games in Krakow and of course the European Youth Olympic Festivals and the Games of the Small States of Europe.
· An EOC that can help us all adapt to the new normal in the sports world, while still battling COVID-19;
· An EOC that can spread the Olympic values to inspire sporting and healthy lifestyles across Europe. This will be key to Europe’s social and economic recovery.
We are a continent that is rich in diversity. And we must celebrate this, whilst finding common ground and unity. This will help us grow stronger and play a key role in the bright future of the Olympic Movement.
In order to address these pressing topics, I firmly believe that we need to refresh the EOC leadership.
Strong leadership will help us strengthen the cooperation with the International Olympic Committee and grow sport across Europe. It will ensure autonomy, support and equality for all of Europe’s NOCs; and will encourage us all to openly share experiences and best practice to fulfil our strategic plan.
That is why today, following the decisions of our General Assembly, I am excited and proud to officially announce my candidacy for the Presidency of the European Olympic Committees.
I look forward to sharing my vision with each of you in the coming weeks and months, and I look forward to working together to build a stronger future for European sport.
Thank you.

Who is Spyros Capralos

EDUCATION
BA in Economics, University of Athens, Greece (1978); MBA, INSEAD, France (1979)
CAREER
VP Bankers Trust Company (NY, Paris, Athens, Milan, London) (1979-1990); Executive Vice Chairman, National Bank of Greece and other prominent positions in the Greek financial community (1990-2000); Chairman & CEO, Athens Exchange (2004-2010); President, Federation of European Securities Exchanges (2008-2010); President & CEO, Starbulk Carriers Corp. (Nasdaq Listed Shipping Company) (2011-2014); Chairman, Starbulk Carriers Corp. (2014-)
SPORTS PRACTISED
Swimming; Water polo
SPORTS CAREER
Greece Swimming Champion (1969-1974); Olympic athlete in water polo (1980 & 1984)
SPORTS ADMINISTRATION
Vice-President, Greek Swimming Federation (1991-1993); Hellenic Olympic Committee, Member & President of Olympic Preparation (1993-1996); Chef de Mission of Greece (Atlanta 1996); Sports Director, Athens Bid Committee (1996-1997); Executive Director, Organising Committee for the Olympic Games Athens 2004 (2000-2004); General Secretary of State and City Manager Olympic Games Athens 2004 (2004); President, Hellenic Olympic Committee (HOC) (2009-)
MEMBERSHIP OF OTHER ASSOCIATIONS
Chairman of Euroclinic (private hospital); Member of Board of GEK TERNA (Greek construction company); Member, Executive Board, European Olympic Committees (EOC) (2009-); Chairman, EOC Olympic Culture & Education Commission (2010-2013); Chairman, EOC Coordination Commission for the 1st European Games “Baku 2015”; Chairman, EOC Coordination Commission for the 2nd European Games “Minsk 2019”; Member, ANOC Events Commission (2019-)
AWARDS AND DISTINCTIONS
Olympic Order (2006); Order of Merit by the Republic of Azerbaijan (2015)
IOC HISTORY
Member, IOC Culture and Olympic Heritage Commission (2015-2019); Expert, IOC Culture and Olympic Education Commission (2014-2015); Member, Olympic Solidarity Commission (2018-)