The Chefs de Mission Seminar (CdM) for the Winter EYOF 2022 gets underway today in the Vuokatti, Finland, with little over than 3 months to go to the event.

Representatives from 47 European National Olympic Committees (ENOCs), whose athletes are expected to compete at the EYOF, are attending the two-day hybrid seminar, either in person or online. They will hear from the local organisers on a broad range of organizational topics to help the teams prepare for the leading European multi-sport event for young athletes aged 14 to 18 due to take place from 20 to 25 March 2022.

“Despite the current circumstances, the Organising Committee has managed to adapt its planning and especially the implementation mechanisms, in order to be able to organise a Seminar for the Chefs de Mission, with all the necessary elements for a multisport event,” said Florin Misca, Chair of the EOC Coordination Commission for the EYOF Vuokatti 2022.

“And equally important in conducting this Seminar are the representatives of the ENOCs who, being aware of the role and importance of EYOF in the European athletes’ development pathway, gave special attention to this project and consider it a priority within their busy and complex schedule at the end of this year.”

On Day 1, the Chefs de Mission will be taken on a venue tour that will include the Athletes’ Village, the biathlon and cross-country stadiums, the short track and figure skating arena, the Vuokatti Slopes (alpine skiing and snowboard) and Kajaani (ice hockey), where they will also be able to watch a match part of the EYOF boys’ ice hockey tournament, which takes place in from 13 to 17 December 2021.

On Day 2, the organisers will provide updates on the progress of preparations in all operational areas, including accommodation, accreditation, ceremonies, transport operations, catering, security, medical services and anti-doping, and COVID-19 regulations.

Some 2,000 athletes and officials will descend on the Finnish city this Winter, with competition in nine sports: ice hockey, figure skating, short track, cross country skiing, biathlon, snowboarding, alpine skiing, ski-jumping and Nordic combined. Vuokatti will be the most gender-balanced EYOF in the event’s history, thanks to the inclusion of girls’ ice hockey and Nordic combined for the first time.