European Games Kraków-Małopolska 2023 preparations continue to gather speed, as the second Coordination Commission meeting saw representatives of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) and members of the European Olympic Committees (EOC) Coordination Commission meet in Kraków on 22 March.
The third edition of Europe’s premier international multi-sport event will take place between 21 June and 2 July 2023. Just three months before the Opening Ceremony takes place at Henryk Reyman Stadium in Kraków, EOC president Spyros Capralos reiterated his belief that Poland will host an exceptional event.
Speaking at the meeting, President Capralos said: “There are less than 100 days to go to the European Games 2023 and the lighting of the flame of Peace in Rome is just a couple of weeks away. The Organising Committee has achieved significant progress since our last visit in October. I am confident that, with the support of the NOCs and the Sport Federations – the Organisers and the Polish National Olympic Committee will deliver successfully the biggest sport event in Europe in 2023. I would like to express my thanks to the Members of our Coordination Commission and our Polish Organisers for their hard work and dedication in these difficult and turbulent times in Europe.”
Made up of 27 members with a wide range of expertise and experience in delivering European, Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Coordination Commission considered updates from the full range preparation work. With no permanent new venues to build, the LOC has been able to focus on ensuring effective operations during the Games.
Coordination Commission Chair Hasan Arat thanked all those in attendance for their inputs, as well as the LOC for the work it continues to do to make sure that the third edition of the European Games provides the right conditions for athletes to give their best performances. Many of the competitions of Kraków-Małopolska 2023 will also serve as qualification events for Paris 2024.
Arat said: “The second Coordination Commission meeting has proven another important step for everyone involved. I must thank all the members who have joined us both in person and remotely for their comments and expertise. And most of all, the EOC expressed its deep gratitude to our Polish friends for the welcome they are preparing to give to our continent’s leading athletes.”
“Kraków-Małopolska 2023 is on course to be a fantastic event thanks to the continued hard work of all members of the LOC. Our friends are fully aware of the work that remains to be done and of our full support for delivering it.”
The LOC updated the Commission on all areas of preparation for the Games during the meetings including on budget and insurance; sports, medical and antidoping; NOC Services; transport and logistics; communications, commercial and marketing; broadcast; ticketing and accreditation; volunteers; and security.
LOC President Marcin Nowak thanked the Commission members for their time and commended everyone at the Organising Committee for their continued work on the preparations.
He said: “Today has given us another chance to show the EOC Coordination Commission all the progress that we have made as the start of the Games draws closer.
“The hard work by all those involved in the Organising Committee has enabled us to get to this stage and we have a clear sense of being part of a team whose members are coming from all of Europe. This will be the biggest event that Poland has ever hosted, and it is a real opportunity to show our ability and expertise. We will be ready.”
About the European Games
The third edition of the European Games will take place between 21 June and 2 July 2023. There will be 26 sports played during the games with 18 Olympic and eight non-Olympic sports scheduled and more than 7,000 athletes expected to take part. Kraków will be the main hub of the Games with 11 different towns and cities hosting sports in a variety of different venues.
More information can be found on the official event website here https://www.european-games.org/
