The European Olympic Committees (EOC) is pleased to announce that it has signed a letter of intent with the European Union of Gymnastics (UEG) for gymnastics to be included on the sports programme of the 2023 European Games in Krakow and the Malopolska region of Poland.
The two organisations, supported by the Krakow 2023 organisers, will now work towards the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding.
“Our goal is to ensure that the programme for 2023 is an exciting mix of new sports and traditional ones, and we are delighted to welcome gymnastics, one of the world’s basic sports, back to the European Games for the third straight edition,” said EOC President Janez Kocijančič.
“The EOC and UEG will work closely with our colleagues in Krakow and the Malopolska region to produce spectacular competition that will showcase Europe’s best gymnasts.”
UEG President Farid Gayibov said: “The European Games have been a brilliant occasion for gymnastics to show both Olympic and non-Olympic disciplines, competing at the same venue at the same time. The popularity of our sport at Baku 2015 and Minsk 2019 proves that this format works. We look forward to further fine-tuning the concept for Krakow in 2023.”
Gymnastics has played a core role in the first two editions of the European Games, with five disciplines – acrobatic, aerobic, artistic, rhythmic, and trampoline – appearing at both Baku 2015 and Minsk 2019.
The EOC is currently exploring a list of sports for possible inclusion on the 2023 European Games programme, including those that offer qualification for the Olympic Games Paris 2024, are sustainable and tailored to the local environment, and are youth oriented.