The Winter European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) Bakuriani 2025 has officially drawn to a close after a week of outstanding competition in Georgia.
European Olympic Committees (EOC) President Spyros Capralos declared the 17th Winter EYOF shut at the Closing Ceremony, held at the Crystal Hotel in Bakuriani.
During the Ceremony, President Capralos presented the final medals of the Festival for the Cross-Country Skiing Mixed Relay, which was won by Italy, and then announced Slovakia’s Michaela Strakova and Italy’s Daniel Pedranzini as the Nodar Kumaritashvili Award winners for the best female and male athletes at Bakuriani 2025.
The award was revealed by President Capralos and the Organising Committee on Wednesday (12 February), exactly 15 years after the Georgian luger, who was born and raised in Bakuriani, sadly passed away during training at the Olympic Winter Games Vancouver 2010.
Biathlete Strakova won gold in the Girls’ 6km Sprint and 10km Individual events, while Pedranzini leaves with four gold medals, having won the Boys’ 10km Free, 7.5km Classic, Sprint Free and the 4x5km Mixed Relay.
President Capralos said: “Over the past seven days, we have been privileged to experience an excellent Winter European Youth Olympic Festival in every aspect. From the outstanding organisation to the warmth of the volunteers and the enthusiasm of our athletes, it has been a true pleasure to be in Georgia.
“The performances of the young athletes have been exceptional. I have no doubt that we have witnessed future stars of the Olympic Winter Games in action in Bakuriani, Tbilisi, and Batumi.
“Georgia has proven to be an exceptional host for winter sports, and the EOC has been fortunate to have them as partners for this Festival. We will always remember a special week in Bakuriani and now we look ahead to Brașov 2027 with excitement.”
Once Bakuriani 2025 was declared over by President Capralos, the EOC Flag was handed over to George Scripcaru, Mayor of Brașov and EYOF Brașov 2027 Organising Committee President, who was joined by Adrian Veștea, Brasov County Council President, and Mihai Covaliu, Romanian NOC President and EOC Executive Committee Member.
