German gymnast Ms Darja Varfolomeev and Turkish swimmer Kuzey Tuncelli have been named joint winners of the 1Xth edition of the Piotr Nurowski Best Young European Athlete Prize (PNP) at a Gala Dinner during European Olympic Committees’ 52nd General Assembly in Istanbul.

Both young athletes received an equal number of votes, leading to the first joint-awarding of the PNP since its introduction in 2011 and they will each be given €15,000 to help with their training and development.

Ms Varfolomeev won Germany’s first rhythmic gymnastics World Championships all-around title in 48 years, after finishing second in 2022, while Mr Tuncelli achieved the Olympic qualifying time for Paris 2024 in the 1500m freestyle and won the 1500m freestyle at the EYOF Maribor and European Junior Championships in 2023, setting new competition records in both.

Slovakian judoka Ms Patricia Tomankova came third in the voting after her country’s first judo European Championships medal in 20 years and she will receive €5,000 in funding, while Mr Kirill Boliukh (UKR) (fourth) and Ms Sarah Chaari (BEL) (fifth) will be handed €3,000.

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach and European Olympic Committees President Spyros Capralos presented the two winners with their trophy and Chair of the EOC Athletes’ Commission Gerd Kantner paid tribute to all five shortlisted finalists.

He said: “All five athletes shortlisted for the summer Piotr Nurowski Award this year can be proud of their achievements in 2023. They have all got big futures ahead in their respective sports.

“Both Darja and Kuzey are worthy joint-winners, having shown that they are ready to compete at senior level, despite their young age. I hope that the funding each of the five athletes receives will benefit them in the long term and I look forward to seeing their careers progress.”

The Prize was created in 2011 to remember and honour former President of the Polish Olympic Committee Piotr Nurowski. It uses his example and his memory to encourage young athletes to pursue a career in top sport and inspire future generations to adopt a healthy lifestyle based on Olympic ideals and principles.