EOC PRESIDENT - The European Olympic Committees

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EOC PRESIDENT - The European Olympic Committees
EOC Newsletter
                                                                                            No. 195 September 2019

MESSAGE FROM THE

EOC PRESIDENT
                                Dear colleagues,

                                 In recent weeks I have been privileged to spend some time travelling, visiting European
                                 National Olympic Committees (ENOCs), European Federations and some sports events,
                                 and with what has been a busy events calendar this year, once again the value of sporting
                                 history against hosting opportunity is a point of consideration.
                                 Sport has the unrivalled power to bring people together from all nations, offering
                                 opportunities to experience new cultures just as they did earlier this year at the European
                                 Games in Minsk, two editions of the European Youth Olympic Festivals and the Games
                                 of the Small States of Europe.
With two recent major events – the Rugby World Cup in Japan and the IAAF World Athletics Championships happening
in Qatar – we are seeing two very different experiences. The Rugby World Cup, in only its 9th edition, has been a festival
of multiculturalism as fans from all over the world have travelled to the land of the rising sun, with the competition
bringing the sport to life.
Conversely, the IAAF World Championships, in its 17th edition, has struggled to attract fans into the stadium. Perhaps
this issue is more than just the choice of venue, but with the upcoming ANOC World Beach Games later this month
and the 2022 FIFA World Cup not too far off on the horizon, I would like to reiterate the EOC’s commitment to making
these two events a success while encouraging all our members to wholeheartedly support and promote them as well.
As we saw at the Minsk European Games this summer, athletes not only appreciate competing in front of large,
appreciative crowds, they also say it helps them perform better. We would like to see the citizens of Qatar be exposed
to more world-class sporting competition so they can potentially develop a lasting legacy of their own.
We will certainly reflect upon the future growth of our own events and are excited to be bringing the 3rd edition of
the European Games to Poland, a highly respected and valued member of the Olympic family. Our entire EOC staff is
already busy preparing to make the next European Games the best yet in all respects, with updates on many of our
activities to be provided to you at the upcoming EOC General Assembly in Warsaw.
On a personal note, I look forward to welcoming you all to Poland for our joint reflections on what I believe has been a
highly successful year thus far for the EOC and all our members.

Best regards,
Janez Kocijančič
EOC President

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EOC PRESIDENT - The European Olympic Committees
EOC NEWSLETTER                                                                                     September 2019

EOC
EOC and WKF enhance                                             EOC President joins
cooperation                                                     inauguration of new
                                                                academic year of Polish
                                                                University

European Olympic Committees (EOC) President Janez
Kocijančič met with Antonio Espinós, President of the
World Karate Federation (WKF) and European Karate
Federation (EKF), in Ljubljana, Slovenia on 24 September        EOC President Janez Kocijančič attended the
2019.                                                           inauguration of the new academic year of The Wroclaw
They held discussions focused on the collaboration              University School of Physical Education in Poland on 27
between the two organisations and the commitment                September.
of the EKF to the EOC’s flagship event, the European            Following the Rector’s welcome speech, the EOC
Games. Karate was part of the sports programme of the           President addressed the students and wished them all
first two European Games (Baku 2015 and Minsk 2019).            the best of success for the year to come.
Both parties expressed a willingness to see the sport at        A highlight of the ceremony was EOC Executive
the next European Games in Kraków & the Małopolska              Committee (ExCom) Member and President of the Polish
region of Poland in 2023.                                       Olympic Committee (POC) Andrzej Kraśnicki being
“We wish to continue the good cooperation with the              awarded an honoris causa title.
WKF,” Kocijančič stated. “Karate was one of the most            Kocijančič warmly congratulated him: “Sport is a
popular sports at Minsk 2019, as competitions were first-       phenomenon of modern society and, as such, it needs
class and the number of participating athletes very high.       a modern organisation. Our society needs coaches,
Figures on social media showed that the sport was very          supporters, experts and, above all, leaders. Sport needs
attractive to the audience.” Read more                          passionate people who devote all their energy and
                                                                life to it, and my dear friend Andrzej is a true example.
                                                                Congratulations!” Read more
EOC Secretary General and
Sports Director attend IOC                                      PIOTR NUROWSKI PRIZE-
Regional Forum                                                  Best Summer European
EOC Secretary General Raffaele Pagnozzi and Sports
                                                                Young Athlete Finalists
Director Peter Brull attended the International Olympic         unveiled
Committee (IOC) Regional Forum on National Olympic
Committee (NOC) Games preparation, which took place             The 50 European National Olympic Committees
at the Olympic House in Lausanne, Switzerland from 18-          (ENOCs) have shortlisted the five finalists for the EOC
19 September 2019.                                              Piotr Nurowski Prize for Best Summer European Young
“[This is] a very important meeting on the road to Tokyo.       Athlete, with three female and two male representatives:
This Forum completes a series of preparation milestones,        Mr Franko GRGIC (CRO) – Swimming
which included the Chef de Mission meetings, in loco            Ms Yaroslava MAHUCHIKH (UKR) – Athletics
visits and our general assemblies and seminars,” Pagnozzi       Mr Madis MIHKELS (EST) – Cycling
said in his welcome address. Read more                          Ms Liza PUSZTAI (HUN) – Fencing
                                                                Ms Giorgia VILLA (ITA) – Artistic Gymnastics
                                                                Read more

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EOC PRESIDENT - The European Olympic Committees
EOC NEWSLETTER                                                                                           September 2019

EOC President and                                                 COMMISSIONS – Funding
Secretary General at                                              opportunities for NOCs
EuroVolley finals in Paris                                        at the core of EOC EU
                                                                  Commission meeting in
                                                                  Brussels

EOC President Janez Kocijančič and Secretary General
Raffaele Pagnozzi attended the Men’s European
Volleyball Championship finals in Paris from 28-29
September 2019.                                                   The European Union Commission held its annual meeting
The EOC leadership was invited by President of the                in the EU capital, Brussels, on 6 September.
European Volleyball Confederation (CEV) Aleksandar                Chaired by Jüri Tamm (EST), the group discussed a series
Boričić – a further sign of the strong ties between the EOC       of key activities in the EU policy fields, as well as potential
and CEV. The visit came after a recent meeting between            EU funding opportunities for ENOCs. Also in attendance
Kocijančič and Boričić in Ljubljana, Slovenia, where they         were EOC Vice President Niels Nygaard, who doubles as
discussed the long-term collaboration between the two             the EOC ExCom Liaison Member of this Commission, and
organisations.                                                    Folker Hellmund, Director of the EOC office in Brussels.
The EuroVolley finals weekend featured a parade of                Some of the topics on the agenda included an update
VIPs and volleyball stars, including double European              on the EU elections, the European Model of Sport, the
champion and double world champion Lorenzo Bernardi               Multiannual Financial Framework and future funding
from Italy and 2000 Olympic champion Andrija Gerić                programmes for the period 2021-2027 (Erasmus+,
from Serbia. EOC ExCom Members Zlatko Mateša (CRO),               structural funds and external actions). Read more
Peter Mennel (AUT) and Jean-Michel Brun (FRA) were
also in attendance. Read more

COMMISSIONS – EYOF
Commission meets in
Rome
The EYOF Commission held its annual meeting in Rome,
Italy on 30 September. Chaired by Portuguese José
Manuel Araújo, the group tackled a series of issues
related to the biggest youth multisport event in Europe.
The Members discussed the general organisation of the
EYOF and examined possible ways to improve the event.
In particular, they gave recommendations on how to
make the EYOF more valuable for the NOCs and more
attractive for host cities.
“It was a very fruitful meeting, and we made a lot of proposals, in particular with reference to the Charter,” Araújo said
after the meeting. “We are trying to align the EYOF with the European Games and the Youth Olympic Games, so raising
the level of our product.” Read more

COMMISSIONS - Olympic Academies Working Group
gathered in Frankfurt
The Olympic Academies Working Group met in Frankfurt, Germany on 17 September 2019.
After a welcome address from Chair Gudrun Doll-Tepper, who was also appointed a Member of the ANOC Culture &
Education Commission, the group discussed possible ways to strengthen networks at European and international level
in the field of “Olympic Education”. Read more

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EOC PRESIDENT - The European Olympic Committees
EOC NEWSLETTER                                                                                      September 2019

EUROPEAN
YOUTH OLYMPIC FESTIVAL
Slovak biathlete Kuzmina
retires, vows to get people
moving
Slovakia’s most successful Olympian in recent years,
biathlete Anastasia Kuzmina, announced her retirement
from active competition this month, but that doesn’t
mean she is entirely done with sports. Quite the contrary,
in fact.
The six-time Olympic medallist (3 gold, 3 silver) and 2019 Sprint World Champion said she will remain heavily involved
in projects with the Slovak Olympic and Sports Committee, including working as an ambassador for the 2021 EYOF in
Banská Bystrica.
“I want to be a part of sports life in Slovakia and help its development,” she said. “I will promote movement and healthy
lifestyles. I see my role as being able to motivate people and children to move more. We know this is a big problem today
and I believe that proper promotion can save future generations.”
The Banská Bystrica EYOF will feature the best young athletes of Europe competing in 11 sports from 24 July to 1 August
2021. The venues will be a mix of existing, newly built and temporary facilities.

EUROPEAN

GAMES
Minsk 2019, a success story on and off the field of play
The 2nd European Games Minsk 2019 was a success beyond all expectations. Both on and off the field of play the Games
reached significant milestones.

Athletes & Medals
A total of 3,666 athletes from all 50 NOCs participated in the 2nd European Games Minsk 2019. Forty-three countries
took home at least one medal, with Russia topping the medals table (109), followed by Belarus (69), Ukraine (51), and Italy
(41). A total of 683 medals were presented and 1,076 athletes were awarded throughout the Games.
The top medallists were Israeli Linoy Ashram (Rhythmic Gymnastics) with two gold and two silver medals and three
athletes from the Russian Federation: Dina Averina (Rhythmic Gymnastics) with three gold, one silver and one bronze;
Angelina Melnikova (Artistic Gymnastics) with two gold and two silver; and Artem Chernousov with three gold (Shooting
– Rifle & Pistol).

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EOC PRESIDENT - The European Olympic Committees
EOC NEWSLETTER                                                                                       September 2019

Volunteers                                                        Ticketing
The European Games made history when Aliaksandr                   A total of 212,820 tickets were sold to visitors from 78
Bahatka and Maryia Aniskovich were selected out of                countries. Both the Opening and the Closing Ceremonies
8,700 volunteers to present medals to athletes at the             were sold out.
gymnastics and cycling medal ceremonies on 30 June.
The EOC became the first sports organisation to give
volunteers this honour and recognition.

                                                                  Social media coverage
                                                                  Embracing the digital era, Minsk 2019 was also a
                                                                  resounding success in terms of global social media
                                                                  coverage.
                                                                  - Positive sport stories from the multisport event
Online media coverage                                             reached every corner of Europe through various social
- The event generated no less than 55,000 online                  media channels.
articles, including from the majority of the leading              - Nearly 106,000 social media posts mentioned
media, for an impressive total of 35 billion potential            Minsk 2019, for a total of 2.384 billion media contact
media contact points.                                             points.
- The geographical spread by number of articles put               - The high number of posts from Western European
Russia first, followed by Belarus, Germany, the UK and            countries again points to the strong interest in the event
Portugal, pointing to a strong level of interest in Western       in that part of Europe.
Europe.                                                           - The number of positive comments about the Games
- The geographical spread by reach also underlines                was over 125,000 and exceeded the number of the
the level of interest that the event generated in Western         negative ones six to one. This shows how the European
Europe.                                                           Games helped change Belarus’ reputation worldwide.
- The majority of these articles had a positive tone              - The number of mentions of the European Games
towards the host city Minsk and thus Belarus.                     was 239,000, 41% of which were from outside of Belarus.
                                                                  - The European Games account on Viber reached a
                                                                  following of 500,000 users, making it one of the most
                                                                  popular accounts on the platform.

TV coverage
- The EOC sold TV Broadcast rights to 150 territories.
- In Europe, 39 broadcasting companies brought the Games to 46 countries. Outside Europe, seven broadcasting
organisations distributed the Games through their networks to 104 territories.
- European Broadcasters jointly transmitted a total of over 3,000 hours of content of the European Games.
- There was an impressive cumulative average viewership of more than 111 million people during the European
Games.
- There was a cumulative audience reach of more than 320 million for the 104 territories in the rest of the world
(Africa, Asia, Latin America and MENA).
Despite the full European sports calendar, Europe’s premier event has made its mark again, positioning itself as a major
event in the run-up to the Olympic Games, confirming its role as an event that strengthens the performance of the
continent at the Olympic Games, and one that also creates an, albeit still limited, additional income stream for the NOCs
of Europe.

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EOC PRESIDENT - The European Olympic Committees
EOC NEWSLETTER                                                                                         September 2019

ENOCs
BELARUS – Olympic quiz pits athletes vs pupils in Minsk
An Olympic quiz “Knowledge is Power!” was held at the NOC Hall of Olympic Glory in Minsk, Belarus on 2 September
2019.
Fifteen teams, including pupils from schools in Minsk and Belarusian athletes (one each on each team) were challenged
in an intellectual quiz. The participants were asked questions related to the athletes’ careers, sport results and the
Olympic Movement in general, collecting points when giving a correct answer.
It was a good opportunity for many 2nd European Games medallists and Olympic champions, including Alexander
Bogdanovich (rowing), Dinara Alimbekova (biathlon) and Marina Litvinchuk (canoe sprint), to share their knowledge and
experience with the young participants. Read more

BELGIUM – More athletes qualify for Tokyo 2020
Seven new Belgian athletes have qualified for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.
In August, the Belgian Olympic Committee High Performance Director Olav Spahl announced the names of the
athletes who will compete in the Japanese capital next July: Bashir Abdi and Koen Naert in marathon; Nafi
Thiam in heptathlon, Louis Croenen, Fanny Lecluyse and Pieter Timmers in swimming and Emma Plasschaert, who
acquired a place for Team Belgium in laser radial sailing. Read more

CYPRUS – Cypriot windsurfer Cariolou qualifies for fifth
Olympics
Cypriot windsurfer Andreas Cariolou secured a spot at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 while competing at the 2019 RS:X
Windsurfing World Championships (OQ) in Torbole, Italy on 28 September.
Cariolou is the first Cypriot athlete in history to have qualified for the fifth time for the Olympic Games. He first competed
at the Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games, finishing in 13th place. He then ranked 13th at Beijing 2008, 17th at London
2012, and 19th at Rio de Janeiro 2016.
In addition to Cariolou, seven other Cypriot athletes have qualified for Tokyo 2020 so far: Eleni Artymata (Athletics -
400m), Demetris Constantinou (shooting), Andri Eleftheriou (shooting), Pavlos Kontides (sailing), Marilena Makri (sailing)
and Andreas Makris (shooting). Read more

GREECE - Capralos delivers keynote speech at The Eco-
nomist’s Sports Business Summit
President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee (HOC), IOC Member and EOC ExCo Member Spyros Capralos was a keynote
speaker at the Sports Business Summit for South-East Europe held by The Economist in Athens on 20 September 2019.
With the topic “The Role of the Olympic Games in Sport and Society”, Capralos had the opportunity to outline the
positive impact of the Olympic Games on worldwide sport and its contribution to the improvement of modern society,
not only through the sports event itself, but also by means of the Olympic values. Read more

HUNGARY - Budapest aims to be top 3 sport destination in
Europe
Budapest, which hosted the inaugural World Urban Games (WUG) from 13-15 September, aspires to be “one of the
three most important sport capitals of Europe, even without the Olympics”. The claim was made by Balázs Fürjes,
Hungarian secretary of state for development and international sport events and head of the WUG Organising
Committee, during his presentation on the “Budapest Global Sport Capital Strategy” at the WUG opening press
conference.
Despite the fact that the Hungarian capital has ruled out a bid for the 2032 Olympics, the strategy will see
Budapest bid for a huge range of sports events, games and conferences until 2030, as it looks to establish itself
as a major centre of world sport. “Budapest is in the heart of Europe; we are a sport-loving city and nation,” said
Fürjes. “We believe Budapest is already a global sport capital, and there is a very clear goal of our 2030 strategy
(which is [the goal] of the government and the national sport federations), which is to be one of the three most
important global sport capitals in Europe.”
Budapest has hosted several high-profile international tournaments in the past, including the 2017 FINA World
Aquatics Championships and the 2019 World Table Tennis Championships. It will also stage the 2023 IAAF World
Athletics Championships and the 2027 FINA World Aquatics Championships.

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EOC PRESIDENT - The European Olympic Committees
EOC NEWSLETTER                                                                                       September 2019

ISRAEL – European Games multi-medallist gymnast Linoy
Ashram continues to succeed
Israeli golden star gymnast Linoy Ashram won a silver and a bronze medal at the 37th FIG Rhythmic Gymnastics World
Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan on 17 September.
Ashram had a particularly successful summer, collecting seven medals at international competitions, including two gold
and two silver medals at the 2nd European Games in Minsk, Belarus in June, plus three gold medals at the Grand Prix in
March.
The 20-year-old has previously won five medals in world championships, bringing her a total of seven world championship
titles one year before the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.
“I am proud to represent Israel. Of course, going to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics would be a dream. It is every athlete’s
dream,” Linoy said following her double medal win in Baku. Read more

POLAND - High momentum for NOC centenary
2019 marks the 100th Anniversary of the Polish Olympic Committee (POC).
The POC has been an influential part of the Olympic Movement since receiving official recognition from the IOC in 1919.
In order to celebrate this milestone, the NOC has been organising a series of activities and initiatives over the year to
commemorate Polish sport.
From January to June 2019, the POC Culture & Olympic Education Department initiated educational projects and
workshops that involved approximately 2,500 schoolchildren and teenagers. An educational book for children and
teenagers “100 years on the (Olympic!) move” was also published.
The Museum of Sports and Tourism inaugurated two temporary exhibitions: “Kalos Kagathos – sculptures and medals of
Jerzy Nowakowski” and “Citius, Altius, Fortius – Polish Olympic Art”.
A temporary outdoor exhibition “100 years on the Olympic Path” was held in Kraków, retracing the steps of the Polish
Olympic Movement and its most outstanding Olympians.
Over 50 sport and cultural events took place in the country under the patronage of the POC as part of the 100 anniversary
celebrations.
Among others, an International Poster Competition was launched. Referring to the rich traditions of the Polish sport
poster, the contest took place in cooperation with the Polish Association of Graphic Designers and the Academy of Fine
Arts in Warsaw. The best posters were exhibited in the Royal Łazienki Museum, Olympic Centre in Warsaw.
The celebrations will culminate with a gala at the Grand Theatre-National Opera in Warsaw on 26 October during the
EOC General Assembly.

SAN MARINO – Amine makes San Marino wrestling
history by qualifying for Tokyo 2020
Myles Amine became San Marino’s first wrestler in history to qualify for the Olympic Games, as he advanced to the
semifinals at the 2019 World Wrestling Championships.
Amine, who was born and raised in the US state of Michigan and holds dual citizenship, clinched a place at the Olympic
Games Tokyo 2020 for San Marino in freestyle 86kg after his victory on day eight. The world competitions were held in
Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan from 14-22 September.
“It just feels incredible,” said Amine, who also won a bronze medal at the 2nd European Games Minsk 2019. “I know the
amount of work I’ve put in [all] year-round these past few years….I decided my goal was to get to the Olympics here.”
Competing for San Marino, a country completely surrounded by Italy with a population of 33,000, Amine takes great
pride in his heritage.
“I don’t think most people know what San Marino is,” he said. “It’s my heritage and my grandpa is really proud to be
from there and talks about it all the time. I just talked to him last night and told him I’d try to make him proud. For this
to happen, it’s surreal.” Read more

SERBIA – Men’s volleyball team crowned European
champs for 3rd time
Serbia was crowned European champion as they secured an amazing victory over Slovenia at the Men’s EuroVolley finals
in Paris on 29 September. The Serbian team clinched the gold medal by beating Slovenia 3-1 in the final at AccorHotels
Arena.
After defeating world champion Poland in the semifinal of the tournament (co-hosted for the first time by Belgium,
France, the Netherlands and Slovenia), the Slovenian team was an unexpected finalist. For the Serbs, this is their third
European title, having won in 2011 and in 2001 as Yugoslavia.

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EOC PRESIDENT - The European Olympic Committees
EOC NEWSLETTER                                                                                     September 2019

SPAIN - Blind Football Team wins European title, qualifies
for Tokyo Paralympics
Spain were crowned winners of the IBSA Blind Football European Championships by beating France on 24 September
in Rome.
The two teams came into the gold-medal match on a high after semifinal victories secured their places at next year’s
Paralympic Games in Tokyo. The Spanish team produced an impressive display, earning a 3-1 victory against their rivals.
Spain won the title for the first time since 2013, which was the year they defeated France in the final. Spain have won
eight of the 12 editions of the tournament.

UKRAINE – Children and parents get schooled on
Olympism
The Olympic Lesson 2019, an annual project of the Ukrainian Olympic Committee (HOK), was launched in Kiev, Ukraine
on 7 September.
This year’s event was dedicated to the Olympic values of friendship, excellence and respect and preceded the Day of
Knowledge and the Day of Physical Culture and Sports, which are celebrated in the country on 14 September.
“Olympic values are very important for us and especially for the youth,” said HOK President and Olympic Champion
Sergey Bubka. “Let’s be together, respect and appreciate what sport and the Olympic Movement bring to our lives, never
give up and move forward to excellence.”
Thousands of participants took part in competitions together with dozens of famous Olympians at 36 Olympic and non-
Olympic sports venues, both on land and on the water. As in a traditional lesson, the “students” were asked to give their
best performances, but instead of getting grades they received special stickers for Olympic gifts. Read more

ANOC
World Beach Games Qatar 2019 unveil Dolphy the mascot
Dolphy, the fun-loving dolphin, was unveiled as the
mascot of the inaugural ANOC World Beach Games
Qatar 2019 on 12 September 2019.
Dolphy personifies the spirit of the ANOC World Beach
Games with a playful disposition, a perpetual grin and a
commitment to keeping the ocean and the environment
clean. A social animal by nature, Dolphy welcomes
anybody and everybody looking for elite beach, water
and action sports to the beautiful Qatari beaches and
ocean.
Dolphy will be found “swimming” between the 14 different sporting events during the ANOC World Beach Games in
Doha, providing boundless energy and optimism for both fans and athletes.
More than 1,200 athletes from 97 NOCs are expected to compete at the ANOC World Beach Games, which will take
place from 12-16 October 2019. A total of 14 disciplines across 13 sports will be represented during the Games. The ANOC
General Assembly and ANOC Awards 2019 will then follow from 17-18 October. Read more

OLYMPIC SPORTS EVENTS
LAUSANNE 2020 - YOG Olympic torch ignites
momentum
One of the highlights on the road to the Lausanne 2020
Youth Olympic Games (YOG) was without a doubt the
lighting of the YOG torch at the Panathenaic stadium in
Athens, Greece on 17 September.
It marked one of the most symbolic milestones in the
lead-up to the next year’s winter YOG, which kick off on
9 January in the Olympic capital. Read more

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EOC PRESIDENT - The European Olympic Committees
EOC NEWSLETTER                                                                                    September 2019

TOKYO 2020 – Open Innovation Challenge launched
The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games launched the “Open Innovation Challenge” on
5 September. The technology competition is aimed at creating an innovative spectator experience and encouraging as
many people as possible to become involved in the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.
Participants are invited to develop and submit prototypes of any type of technological application leveraging the very
latest cloud and AI technologies, including mobile, web-based or robot applications.
The aim is to enhance the future spectator experience and highlight Tokyo 2020’s commitment to innovation with a
focus on the experience at sporting events, including basketball 3x3, BMX freestyle, skateboarding and sport climbing.
Alibaba Cloud and Intel, partners of the Games, along with the local organising committee will jointly review and select
as winners those who develop the most innovative and creative applications. Read more

BEIJING 2022 - Olympic and Paralympic mascots
officially unveiled
A panda and a Chinese lantern-child were unveiled as
mascots for the 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic
Games. The reveal event took place at the Beijing
Shougang Ice Hockey Arena on 17 September.
The cheerful panda named Bing Dwen Dwen will be the
Olympic mascot. “Bing” means ice and symbolises purity
and strength while “Dwen Dwen” represents children.
Promoting the Olympic spirit, the mascot embodies
the strength and willpower of athletes. The Paralympic
mascot is called Shuey Rhon Rhon – a lantern-child ready
to welcome friends from around the world. The name
signifies warmth, friendship, courage and perseverance.
Read more

EUROPEAN UNION
European Week of Sport kicked off in Finland
The 5th edition of the European Week of Sport (EWoS)
was the biggest ever and was launched on Monday
23 September 2019 in Espoo, Finland. Jyrki Katainen,
Vice-President for Jobs, Growth, Investment and
Competitiveness, and Tibor Navracsics, Commissioner
for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, kicked off the
European initiative to encourage citizens to embrace
healthy and active lifestyles.
The week, which ran from 23-30 September, consisted of
different activities and projects, such as inspiring coaches
and leaders and awarding projects and individuals that
are dedicated to promoting sport and physical activity
across Europe.
EWoS continues to grow year after year and gather participants committed to encouraging more people to raise their
activity level. In total, the EWoS 2019 arranged about 50,753 events in 42 participating countries. Read more

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EOC PRESIDENT - The European Olympic Committees
EOC NEWSLETTER                                                                                    September 2019

MISCELLANEOUS
European Fair Play celebrates its 25th Anniversary in
Budapest
The European Fair Play Movement (EFPM) marked its
25th Anniversary with beautiful celebrations in Budapest,
Hungary on 12 September.
An elegant gala was organised in the heart of the 2019
European Sport Capital with the aim of celebrating the
25-year commitment of the EFPM in promoting ethical
values of sport.
“The annual announcement of the European Fair Play
Awards under the patronage of the EOC highlights our
common mission and aims to pay tribute to the laureates
for their dedication as Fair Play Ambassadors,” said EFPM
President Christian Hinterberger.
On the occasion, the EOC was represented by President
of the Hungarian Olympic Committee Krisztián Kulcsár,
who awarded a commemorative plaque to Hinterberger
on behalf of EOC President Janez Kocijančič.
“There is only one key message I would like to convey tonight. The Fair Play movement is an integral part of the Olympic
Movement. Without fair flay, the Olympic Movement would not be the same,” Kulcsár said. “It has a special place in the
heart of the [Hungarian NOC], and I can proudly say that it has a special place in the EOC’s heart too.” Read more

Europe triumphs over US in “The Match”
Team Europe won the inaugural edition of “The Match
Europe v USA”, which was held in the Belarusian capital
Minsk from 9-10 September.
The athletics battle saw the Europeans holding a
27-point lead after the first of two days of competition,
and steadily increasing their advantage throughout to
win by a 724.5-601.5 margin.
This event was the last major athletics competition
ahead of the World Championships in Doha, which ran
from 27 September to 6 October.
Among the winners of the event’s concluding mixed
4×400 metres relay, due to make its Olympic Games
debut in Tokyo next year, was the quartet of Germany’s
Patrick Domogala and Jessica-Bianca Wessolly, Poland’s
Iga Baumgart-Witan and Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Amel
Tuka. Read more

IOC
Big plastic pledge launched
Rio 2016 sailing gold medallist Hannah Mills has
launched the big plastic pledge – a global campaign
to unite athletes and fans around the issue of plastic
pollution. The campaign is supported by the IOC as part
of its commitment to the UN Clean Seas (#CleanSeas on
social media) initiative. Read more

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EOC NEWSLETTER                                                                                     September 2019

SOCIAL MEDIA HUB

   Meet Giorgia Villa one of the 5              Team #Serbia is the                 Gesa Krause wins #Germany’s
   amazingly talented young athletes in         European Volleyball                 first medal at the World
   the run for the 2019 Piotr Nurowski          Champion!                           Athletics Championships in
   “Best European Young Athlete” Prize.                                             Doha!

                 What is the EYOF? Watch the video retracing the steps of the biggest European youth
                                                 multi-sport event

Ukranian Yaroslava Mahuchikh, one          WOW! Dina Asher-Smith sets a new             Giant Apostolos Parellis is
of the 5 finalists of the Piotr Nurowski   national record in the 200m and              the 5th discus thrower in the
Prize, won silver medal at the World       becomes the first British woman to win       World setting a new Olympic
Athletics Championships Doha,              an individual world sprint title             record in Doha and qualifying
breaking a new world U20 record!                                                        for Tokyo 2020!

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