The President of the European Olympic Committee, Mr Spyros Capralos was in attendance of the judo event on multiple occasions throughout the European Youth Olympic Festival 2025, and on the final day was happy to see the final block of the Mixed Team event. The European Judo Union prides itself on top tier organisation, ensuring the care of the delegations is of the highest importance which was evident to the president,
I think the judo is one of our greatest events, the organisation has a specific protocol and this is very good and I think many countries were happy because they took medals here.
What is the importance of creating a multi-sport event for this age?
The European Youth Olympic Festival is a unique event aimed at athletes aged 14 to 18. For many of these talented young athletes, this will be their first experience of a multi-sport event. Many of those who have competed at previous EYOFs have gone on to star at the European Games or the Olympic Games.
But the EYOF is more than just a sport competition. It is an opportunity to promote the Olympic values among young athletes, and this can have a very important influence on their futures. Athletes make friendships and connections for life at the EYOF, and the EOC is proud of the role that it plays in athletes’ development on and off the field of play.
In judo for example, we are beginning to see progression for young female athletes in nations that were previously male-oriented teams, how can multi-sport events encourage this further?
Gender equality is a key priority for the EOC, and our goal outlined in EOC Strategic Agenda 2030 is to reach gender equality in athlete quotas at all of our sport events. Judo is an excellent example of the growth of women’s sport. We are delighted to see that Eteri Liparteliani of Georgia, who won gold at the 2015 EYOF in Tbilisi, recently became her country’s first female world champion in judo.
However, there is still much more work to do to ensure female athletes receive the same opportunities as their male counterparts, and we hope we can use our multi-sport events to accelerate positive change.
What is the ultimate goal of this event? What do you want the young athletes to take away?
The EYOF provides an invaluable experience for our continent’s young athletes, and introduces them to the environment of a multi-sport event with a fun and inclusive atmosphere. Of course the athletes have the chance to compete for medals against their peers from across the continent, but just as importantly they have the opportunity to make lifelong friendships and participate in a range of interactive activities off the field of play.
For example, the EOC Culture and Education Commission oversees the very successful European Young Olympic Ambassadors (EYOA) programme, which has entered its ninth edition at Skopje 2025. The team of 27 ambassadors, supported by seven alumni from previous editions, are delivering a range of initiatives designed to introduce the young athletes to the Olympic values, including team-building games and challenges. This has had a very positive impact at previous EYOFs, and we are delighted to see the EYOA programme continue to grow from strength to strength in Skopje.
Author: Thea Cowen