Istanbul was confirmed as the 2027 European Games host on day two at the 53rd European Olympic Committees (EOC) General Assembly in Bucharest by the European National Olympic Committees (NOC).
The city’s candidacy for the fourth edition of the European Games was approved unanimously following an extensive presentation by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and speeches from Mayor of Istanbul Ekrem İmamoğlu and Turkish Olympic Committee (TOC) Secretary General Neşe Gündoğan.
President Spyros Capralos’s request for ratification was met with a standing ovation in Bucharest and he expressed his delight that the Municipality and TOC will now be able to move forward with their preparations three years ahead of the Games. The Host City Contract is set to be signed in the coming months.
President Capralos said: “We are delighted to have received support from the entire European Olympic family to stage the next European Games in Istanbul. With the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and the TOC, the EOC has found the perfect partners to deliver a European Games which captivates the host city, host country, Europe and indeed the world. We look forward to working closely with all stakeholders over the next three years to make the Games a reality.”
In addition to the European Games confirmation, the 2027 European Youth Olympic Festivals (EYOF) were awarded to Brașov, Romania and Lignano Sabbiadoro, Italy, while there were presentations from the 2025 Winter EYOF hosts Bakuriani, Georgia, and Summer EYOF, Skopje, hosts Skopje. Frankfurt, Germany, was also confirmed as the venue for the 2025 General Assembly.
The morning had begun with the awarding of the EOC Olympic Laurel Awards to Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki (GRE), Tone Jagodic(SLO), Oleg Volkov (UKR) and Mimi Vurdelja (CRO).
After the introduction of the Olympic AI Agenda by the International Olympic Committee in April, the afternoon session focused on how it can benefit sport, led by EOC Executive Committee (ExCo) member and Digital and Technology Commission Chair Victoria Cabezas.
Following presentations by each of them, IOC Chief Technology and Information Officer Ilario Corna, Managing Partner for the Olympic and Paralympic Games and Major Events at Deloitte John Tweardy, Professor Lucy Mills, Founder of Ready Sport Global, and Professor Marco Cardinale, Executive Director of Research and Scientific Support at ASPETAR, took part in a panel discussion moderated by Ms Cabezas.
Ms Cabezas said: “AI is set to transform the world of sport in the next decade and it is vital that the EOC is at the forefront of innovation, and able to help our members understand the benefits and difficulties posed by the development of technology.
“In addition to the incredible colourised footage of the Olympic Games Paris 1924 that we were shown in Bucharest, it was educational for the NOCs to hear about how it can help them with medical issues, anti-doping procedures, performance analysis and fan engagement among other areas.”
To conclude the 53rd General Assembly, President Capralos paid tribute to Romanian Olympic and Sport Committee President Mihai Covaliu and his team for their hosting, and emphasised his conviction that the European Olympic Movement is in a strong position moving forward.
He said: “We have enjoyed a memorable two days in the magnificent Palace of Parliament in the beautiful city of Bucharest and have received warm hospitality throughout our stay. President Covaliu, the Romanian NOC and everyone who has been involved in making this General Assembly such a great success have our deepest gratitude.
“What an opportunity we have to consolidate Europe’s place at the heart of global sport and to inspire our continent to engage with sport and lead healthy lifestyles. With the continued unity and togetherness of our European Olympic family, there is a bright future for European sport.”
