A two-day Chef de Mission Seminar took place from 27-28 April in the Slovakian city of Banská Bystrica ahead of the Summer European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) later this year (24-30 July).

Representatives from 42 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) attended in person, with a further 6 NOCs joining the meetings online. Members of the EYOF Banská Bystrica 2022 Coordination Commission, EYOF Commission Chair Líney Rut Halldórsdóttir, members of the EOC Head Office, technical delegates from International Federations, and members of the Local Organising Committee were also in attendance in Slovakia.

Key discussions took place over the course of the two days, including the topics of NOC relations and services, accreditation, security, accommodation, catering, transport, medical protocols, marketing, sustainability, the event’s web app, Opening and Closing Ceremonies, the European Youth Olympic Ambassador programme, and the volunteer programme. In addition to this, venue tours were organised to ensure the NOCs and technical delegates had the opportunity to assess the facilities for the various sports.

Following the success of the sustainability initiatives at the Winter EYOF Vuokatti 2022, the EOC is delighted that similar activities will be in place at the summer edition. Re-usable bottles will be provided to everyone in a welcome package, and there will be self-service water pumps at every venue containing Slovakia’s world-leading tap water. The Local Organising Committee’s all-encompassing sustainability strategy also covers waste management, catering, material efficiency, transport, energy sources, and education for the future stars of European sport.

Over 1,800 volunteers applied to be part of the event, with some 1,500 selected. In a video message to the selected volunteers, EOC President Spyros Capralos said, “You will be right at the heart of the EYOF’s success, providing the youthful energy and dynamism that makes it such a uniquely special event. Volunteering at the EYOF can be a life changing experience. So I urge you to embrace it wholeheartedly and give it your all.”

After the meetings drew to a close, Slovak Olympic and Sports Committee Secretary General Jozef Liba said, “We are glad that so many technical delegates and representatives of the NOCs came to Banská Bystrica. Feedback is very important to us because we will find out how our colleagues in the NOCs perceive the current state of preparations. This will also give us a signal of what we still need to work on. The remaining 88 days before the event are important to focus on areas that need to be supplemented or improved. Such a seminar is very important for us and we are very happy for the participation of all attendees.”

Peter Hamaj, CEO of the EYOF Banská Bystrica 2022 Local Organising Committee added, “We introduced the entire project and the state of preparations in the particular departments. We have answered all their questions and we will apply their subsequent recommendations in the final preparations of the EYOF. This is followed by meetings with the National Olympic Committees representatives.”

Joseph Cassar, Chair of the EYOF Banská Bystrica 2022 Coordination Commission said, “With 88 days to go to the event, the level of readiness for the EYOF Banska Bystrica 2022 is outstanding. The dedication and commitment of the Mayor, the Organising Committee and the Slovak Olympic Committee are a guarantee of a very successful organisation of the EYOF which will do honour to our athletes, the NOCs and the EOC.”