Győr, Hungary; 26 July 2017: The European Olympic Committees (EOC) Acting President Janez Kocijančič has emphasised the importance of the European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) in the athletic careers of Europe’s most talented young athletes, on their journey to the Olympic Games.

Kocijančič also stressed that the EYOF is a great opportunity for the young athletes to better understand the meaning of the Olympic values of friendship, respect and excellence. For many of the 2,500 teenagers taking part in Győr, the EYOF is their first time competing in a multi-sport event under the Olympic flag. Kocijančič believes this experience will be crucial step in their development both as athletes and as individuals.

Speaking on day three of the festival, Kocijančič said:

“The EYOF is very important in the career of Europe’s young athletes. To be successful, they need talent, dedication and sacrifice, but they also require the psychological experience that the EYOF provides. All the athletes here in Győr will be able to go to major multi-sport events like the Olympic Games with this experience behind them, and with a greater understanding of the Olympic Movement. Many of the athletes I have spoken to this week have told me that the EYOF has taught them important new lessons in the psychology of sport.”

“In the past we have seen athletes who participated in the EYOF go on to achieve Olympic medals. I have full confidence that the experience in Győr will help lead this year’s competitors onto the same road to success. Their Olympic journeys have officially started!”

Kocijančič also praised the “exceptional” work of the Organising Committee and Hungarian National Olympic Committee, especially their efforts to make the EYOF a dynamic, fun and youth-focused event:

“This is an event organised for young people, so it is great to see all the effort to make them the focus. I want to thank our Hungarian hosts who have done an exceptional job. Hungary is a nation steeped in sporting and Olympic tradition and this has been projected throughout the festival. Mayor Zsolt Borkai and everyone involved have shown enormous enthusiasm and great knowledge of hosting an international sporting event.

“I am also grateful to all the people of Gyor – thank you for your friendliness, warmth and enthusiasm for this event. You have helped make it such a success. From my point of view this is the best EYOF ever!”

On day three of six in Győr, 26 of the 50 competing countries have won medals. Over 2,500 athletes are taking part in 10 sports this week – athletics, basketball, cycling, gymnastics, handball, judo, kayak-canoe, swimming, tennis and volleyball.