Dear Colleagues,

We are fast approaching the end of another year of major successes for the European Olympic Movement, so it is fitting to reflect on the progress we have made as a united family and look forward to the historic milestones that lie in ahead in 2023.

My sincere gratitude goes to all of you for your invaluable contributions and the unwavering commitment you have shown throughout 2022. It has been one of the most challenging years European sport has faced in my lifetime.

The war in Ukraine has been felt throughout Europe and has created impossible dilemmas for European and world sport as we try to balance inclusion with protecting athletes and the integrity of competitions. We have had to take tough decisions, but we have done so, together, in the best interests of European sport and in solidarity with the Olympic community in Ukraine.

Despite the challenges, we have reached the end of the year with an abundance of achievements that made us all proud. Once again, we have seen how sport has an unrivalled power to unify people and promote tolerance and understanding.

The EOC, Europe’s NOCs and our friends at the EU have worked tirelessly to ensure sport is at the forefront of our continent’s recovery from the pandemic. This has been a significant task, but our shared vision has guided us to the light, and it fills me with joy to see young people able to experience the magic of sport once again. This, as we learnt during the pandemic, is not something we should ever take for granted.

With sport returning at all levels this year, it was a particular pleasure to witness elite athletes at the peak of their powers as they captivated crowds all over the world. The Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 once again saw European success, with our continent winning 60% of the medals. Congratulations must of course go to our brilliant athletes, but also to everyone who played their part in inspiring the future of European sport.

Whilst Europeans continue to deliver on the highest stage, 2022 provided further evidence that our future is very bright. Due to a pandemic-induced delay, there were two EYOFs this year: a winter edition in Vuokatti, Finland and a summer one in Banska-Bystrica, Slovakia. The standard of sport was exceptional, and off the field our outstanding young athletes were the embodiment of the Olympic values of friendship, excellence, and respect.

This was particularly evident in the warm reception and support given to the young Ukrainian athletes. Despite the immensely difficult circumstances they faced, we were delighted to have Ukrainian delegations at both EYOFs. I must thank all the NOCs who united behind the Ukrainian Olympic Community, ensuring sport could be a source of hope and inspiration for the country’s people. The EOC will continue to stand in solidarity with Ukraine, as we continue to hope that 2023 brings back peace on our continent.

The EOC was in constant dialogue with all stakeholders throughout the year, to ensure collaboration in European sport is as effective as possible. Next year, at the EOC Seminar in Paris, France on 12-13 May and at the EOC General Assembly in Istanbul on 6-7 October, we will have the opportunity to come together as one to share successful stories and tackle universal challenges as a collective force. Over the past two years, the EOC has been working hard to centralise a strategy that will guide Europe’s sporting progress over the next decade. The EOC Strategic Agenda 2030 is the product of our joint expertise and experiences as a continent. It provides the roadmap to even greater success and we should be excited about the impact it will have in the years to come.

This was the second year of my presidency of the EOC, and I will forever be grateful that you entrusted me with the honour of leading our organisation. I will continue to work tirelessly to provide a brighter future for European sport, but our success is driven by collaboration. The EOC Executive Committee has shown great flexibility and pragmatism in a very challenging year, and the EOC Commissions have continued to innovate for the benefit of us all. I must also praise our excellent colleagues in the EOC Head Office and in the EU Office in Brussels for their dedication to our mission.

This year posed many challenges for the European Olympic Movement, yet no challenge is too great for our resilient continent. In these difficult times our goal should be to explore ways of how all athletes can compete in our sport events.

Next year will see our momentum continue to build as we approach the third edition of our flagship event – the European Games – in Kraków and Małopolska, Poland. The organisers are doing an exceptionally good job in preparing for Europe’s biggest celebration of sport and unity. Combined with two more EYOFs next year in Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy (winter) and Maribor, Slovenia (summer) as well as the Games of the Small States of Europe in Malta, 2023 will truly be a European year of sport!Dear friends, you have all earned the chance to rest and recharge your batteries! I wish you all a festive winter period and look forward to seeing you again in 2023, full of renewed energy and optimism for the journey ahead.

With EurOlympic greetings for a prosperous new year,

Spyros Capralos

EOC President