We are precisely one week from day one of the European Youth Olympic Festival – EYOF – in Skopje, North Macedonia. For so many young athletes, this will be their first opportunity to participate in a multi-sport event with nations spanning Europe in 15 disciplines. We will soon look forward to those competing and make some informed predictions of the results, however we have many stories to look back on.
Exactly 10 years ago in the EYOF in Tbilisi, Alice BELLANDI of Italy took the gold medal. At that age, she mightn’t have believed that nine years later she would also hail herself as the Olympic Champion, and after more recent events, can also add a senior World title to that collection.
So what is it to such an incredible champion, to look back on her experiences?
It was the biggest event as a cadet, and a small taste of what the Olympic Games would be, simply amazing. Though there are the Cadet European and World Championships, the European Youth Olympic Festival is something special that not everyone gets to do.
Speaking with the 2015 gold medallist, it was a nice ‘blast from the past’ and a chance to dig up some beautiful memories.
It was really something special and exciting for us, to get all new uniform, to be in the stadium for the opening ceremony, there was even a plane specially for EYOF. I think you don’t realise just how incredible it is, you’re really having so much fun with a new experience, and maybe before it is like a dream, even for the Olympics, you don’t know the feeling, but after this it gave me a concrete idea.
Of course, it was hosted by one of the great judo nations, Georgia, which will be hosting the Senior European Championships in 2026,
We were so lucky for the judo, with it being in Tbilisi in Georgia, they love the sport so it was a really popular event and had the best crowd.
What makes EYOF so special though?
Firstly, I realise the importance of it looking back, they were my very best memories as a cadet. I also think it has changed so much for the cadet athletes now, it feels much more serious and more professional. I know so many now are training every day like professional athletes, but I was still in my home town, I wasn’t training every day and I wish I could perform with that mentality now, with not so many thoughts, really just enjoy every minute.
When you’re a cadet, it’s the first time in your judo career you go away as a national team, so European Championships and EYOF were the first times and it was so exciting. Also, there may be some extra motivation, for example in Italy, with a cadet result you can get a job in the army, but I think one memorable thing for me was that I was missing school! *she laughs*
EYOF occurs every two years, and due to the gap, it means that some athletes unfortunately miss out on the experience,
It was an honour, it felt like this, it was an extra thing for us to do between the Europeans and Worlds, like a gift from the federation. Afterwards I didn’t even medal at the World Championships!
What message would you pass on to the athletes competing next week in Skopje?
Live for the moment and with an open heart. You will make so many special memories and it is so important to enjoy every single minute. At this time you have the freedom to do it, you must fight to keep this feeling and this ‘kids’ soul.
This is sound advice from the current Olympic and World Champion, so athletes, heed these words and soak it all up!
Judoka
Author: Thea Cowen