The EOC Executive Committee (ExCom) held its first meeting of the year in Rome, Italy, engaging in comprehensive discussions over preparations for the 4th European Games Istanbul 2027 and reflecting on the success of European athletes at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.
The ExCom was joined by the EOC’s partners from the Turkish Ministry of Youth and Sports, the İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality and the Turkish Olympic Committee, the three institutional components of the Istanbul 2027 Organising Committee, who provided a comprehensive update on work in Istanbul following the first EOC Coordination Commission meeting in January.
In his report to the EOC ExCom, EOC President Spyros Capralos highlighted the continued collaboration between all stakeholders 15 months ahead of the European Games. He also praised the European success at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, highlighting the 10 finalists of the Piotr Nurowski Prize who won medals at Milano Cortina 2026 and the 10 European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) gold medallists who added Olympic gold.
President Capralos said: “Paris 2024 and Milano Cortina 2026 have marked a new era for the Olympic Movement, and Istanbul 2027 is approaching quickly.
“Our working relationships with all stakeholders, including the Turkish Ministry of Youth and Sports, the İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality and the Turkish Olympic Committee are strong, and their commitment is clear.”
EOC ExCom member and Coordination Commission Chair Mihai Covaliu gave an overview of the January visit and developments since then from an EOC perspective, prior to Istanbul 2027 Organising Committee CEO Prof. Dr. Veli Ozan Çakir presenting his report to the EOC ExCom.
President Capralos, Acting Mayor of Istanbul Nuri Aslan, Istanbul 2027 CEO Prof. Dr. Çakir, and Turkish Olympic Committee Secretary General Neşe Gündoğan signed an amendment to add the Istanbul 2027 Organising Committee to the Host City Contract. Ms Zeynep Akçabay represented the İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality on the podium during the ceremony.
The EOC ExCom expressed its confidence in Istanbul 2027’s ability to deliver a world-class celebration of European sport, featuring the continent’s best athletes and offering more opportunities than ever before to qualify for the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028.
CoCom Chair Covaliu commented: “We are encouraged by the clear and comprehensive overview of the Organising Committee’s progress on preparations for the 4th European Games, and we are grateful for the energy and commitment of all the stakeholders.
“There remains much work to do, but Istanbul 2027 is shaping up to be a landmark edition of the 4th European Games, and I look forward to continuing to work closely with everyone involved to ensure we deliver an outstanding experience for athletes from across Europe.”
The EOC ExCom heard updates on the 2027 Winter European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) in Brașov, Romania and the 2027 Summer EYOF in Lignano Sabbiadoro, Italy. Preparations are advancing smoothly for both EYOFs, which will offer thousands of Europe’s talented young athletes aged 14–18 a first experience of a multi-sport event and introduce them to the Olympic Values.
There were also updates from EOC Secretary General Carlo Mornati, EOC Treasurer Peter Mennel, EOC CEO Jan Lehmann and ANOC Secretary General Gunilla Lindberg.
The EOC ExCom paid tribute to the outgoing EOC EU Office Director Folker Hellmund, expressing its gratitude for his outstanding service over 17 years in the role, during which time the EOC has significantly strengthened its relationship with European institutions. Carlotta Giussani has been appointed as his successor and will begin her role on 1 April.
The next meeting of the EOC ExCom will take place on 11 June in Budapest, Hungary, before the 55th EOC General Assembly from 12–13 June.
