The European Olympic Committees (EOC) and National Olympic Committees (NOCs) from across Europe took part in the XXVII Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) General Assembly in Cascais, Portugal from 30-31 October.
EOC President Spyros Capralos, Vice-President Daina Gudzinevičiūtė, Secretary General Raffaele Pagnozzi, and Executive Committee Member Victoria Cabezas sit on the ANOC Executive Council and were among the EOC representatives during the meeting, which was hosted by ANOC and the Portuguese NOC. ANOC Secretary General Gunilla Lindberg is also an ex-officio member of the EOC Executive Committee.
International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach delivered a keynote speech to open the first session and the EOC, along with the other four Continental Associations, presented the General Assembly with an update on its latest work on day two.
In addition to the Olympic Games Paris 2024 Organising Committee’s final report, NOCs heard the latest updates from the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 and Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 Organising Committees and from all ANOC Commissions, with the EOC Commissions praised for their work.
Following the General Assembly, ANOC again held Special Theme Sessions on 1 November, where President Capralos delivered a keynote speech on the challenges faced by NOCs with the evolving Olympic Programme. The panel session that followed was moderated by Belgian NOC Secretary General Cedric Van Branteghem and saw Irish NOC Secretary General Peter Sherrard offer his thoughts.
President Capralos said: “The evolving programme opens up new avenues to engage with audiences and inspire future generations of Olympians.
“Having new sports debut at the Olympic Games provides more exciting opportunities for NOCs to use the Olympic platform to engage with new audiences and communities in their countries.
“With the additional sports chosen, LA28 offers an unprecedented chance for NOCs to inspire young people to practice different sports and embrace the Olympic values.
“We know that the evolving Olympic programme presents both challenges and immense opportunities for NOCs. By working together, we can adapt, find solutions, make the most of the huge opportunities it brings and ensure the Olympic Games continue to thrive.”
The 2026 ANOC General Assembly was awarded to Hong Kong, China by the ANOC Executive Council at its meeting ahead of the General Assembly.
