The Winter European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) Bakuriani 2025 was officially opened by the President of Georgia Mikheil Kavelashvili at a memorable Opening Ceremony.
Held at the Kids Sport Ski Arena at the foot of the slopes, dignitaries and spectators were entertained by traditional Georgian dancers and musical performances, and enthusiastically welcomed the young athletes as they were paraded through the venue.
President Kavelashvili and European Olympic Committees (EOC) President Spyros Capralos were joined at the Opening Ceremony by Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Kobakhidze, EYOF Bakuriani 2025 Organising Committee President Mamuka Khabareli, Georgian NOC President Leri Khabelov, members of the EOC Executive Committee and other representatives of the Georgian parliament.
President Capralos said: “Thank you for this warm welcome to beautiful Bakuriani. Already, I can feel the spirit of the EYOF is alive and well. From the incredible performances we’ve just witnessed to the parade of athletes from our 45 competing nations, we are set for an exciting week of competition.
“The EYOFs play a vital role in the European Olympic Movement. For many of our young athletes here, this is the first time they will compete in an international multi-sport event. It is a crucial and valuable opportunity to test themselves against the best athletes from across Europe, and to learn about the Olympic Values.
“To all our athletes, I wish you the best of luck in your competitions and hope that you leave here fulfilled by your performances. And to the EYOF Bakuriani 2025 Organising Committee, thank you for your hard work in ensuring this event will be a success.”
EYOF Bakuriani 2025 Organising Committee President Khabareli said: “We are delighted to officially open the Festival tonight and finally welcome Europe’s best young winter athletes to Georgia for the EYOF.
“Throughout the preparation period, we have enjoyed a fantastic working relationship and collaboration with the EOC, and you will see the result of this work over the next week as the competitions unfold.
“It is an honour for Georgia to host this event, and we believe it will be the start of our country’s rise in winter sports, both through a bright future for our young athletes and the excellent new facilities in Tbilisi and Batumi, which will leave a lasting legacy.”
The Choir of the Holy Trinity Cathedral and an orchestra led by Georgian maestro Nika Nikvashvili performed the musical acts with the State Academic Ensemble of Georgian Song and Dance also taking to the stage.
The Ceremony ended with Koba Tsakadze and Anastasia Mirianashvili using the Flame of Peace to light the Cauldron of the 17th Winter EYOF, with nearly 900 athletes from 45 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) set to compete in eight sports between 9 and 16 February.
While the ice hockey competition began on 6 February, the full programme gets underway today (10 February) with Alpine and freestyle skiing, short track speed skating and biathlon.
Relive the official start of the EYOF, watch the full Opening Ceremony here.
