The President of the European Olympic Committees (EOC) Spyros Capralos this morning welcomed Holocaust survivor Hana Gofrit to the EOC hotel in Krakow.
Ms Gofrit, who was born in Poland, was accompanied at the meeting by Yael Arad, President of the National Olympic Committee of Israel, where she has lived since 1949.
The exchange took place on the morning of the Opening Ceremony of the European Games Krakow-Malopolska 2023, which will take place across 13 towns and cities in the Malopolska region.
The area was the site of some of the most notorious atrocities committed during the Holocaust, including at Auschwitz-Birkenau, which is now a global place of remembrance.
President Capralos expressed his thanks to Ms Gofrit and President Arad for the meeting, describing it as a “unique” and “emotional” experience.
He said: “It has been very moving to be able to exchange with Ms Gofrit here in Krakow.
“For us, as guests in this region, it is important to acknowledge and respect the horrifying events that took place here within living memory.
“To be able to hear directly from Ms Gofrit about her experience was very emotional and gives us pause to reflect ahead of the start of the European Games, which will celebrate peace, respect and inclusion under the motto ‘We are Unity.’
