Dear Colleagues,
Dear Friends,
I hope August gave many of you some time to rest with family and friends — though for several of our NOCs, as you’ll read below, it was anything but quiet. That contrast captures where we are: important work has continued behind the scenes, with our focus now firmly on the months ahead and the major events that will shape the next stage of our journey together.
Between now and next summer, our attention turns to the European Games Istanbul 2027, our two European Youth Olympic Festivals in Brașov and Lignano Sabbiadoro, the Games of the Small States of Europe in Monaco, and preparations across all our NOCs for the Olympic Games LA28.
The most significant development of the month came in Türkiye, with the appointment of Mr Alpaslan Baki Ertekin as General Coordinator of the European Games Istanbul 2027. This is an important step for the Organising Committee. It provides our preparations with a clear focal point at the highest level as we enter the most intensive phase of planning. Mr Ertekin brings extensive experience of the Olympic Movement in Türkiye to the role, and I look forward to working closely with him and with our Coordination Commission, chaired by Mihai Covaliu, in the months ahead. On behalf of the EOC, I warmly congratulate him and wish him every success.
Momentum was evident elsewhere, too. It was a pleasure to be in Paris for the signing ceremony with European Aquatics, confirming that Istanbul 2027 will host both the European Aquatics U23 Swimming Championships and the European Aquatics Artistic Swimming Championships. I thank European Aquatics President António Silva and Treasurer Andida Bouma for their partnership in giving aquatics a greater role on our stage. I also had the opportunity to attend the European Athletics event in Birmingham and the World Equestrian Championship in Aachen, where I had the pleasure of meeting European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and discussing a number of matters of importance to Europe and the European sporting movement.
Meanwhile, 19 of our NOCs are competing at the Mediterranean Games in Taranto, Italy – a highly successful event where I had the honor to represent the IOC President, both at the ICMG Electoral General Assembly and at the Opening Ceremony. The Games that offer valuable platform for their athletes to test themselves at the highest level continue until 3 September. Italy, Türkiye, France, Greece and Spain are among the leading nations in the medal standings. The Games have also produced memorable milestones: Naiara Liñán’s bronze in taekwondo delivered Andorra’s first-ever medal at the Mediterranean Games. My warmest congratulations to all the athletes taking part, including several members of our own EOC Athletes’ Commission, and I wish every success for the remaining days of competition.
I hope to share further updates on our preparations for Istanbul 2027 in the coming weeks, and on the many other priorities across the EOC and our NOCs..
Thank you all, as ever, for your dedication and your continued support of the EOC’s activities.
With EurOlympic regards,
Spyros Capralos
EOC President
