“These types of major sports events are golden advertising for Flanders and for sport itself,” says Ben Weyts. “We are going to give our young top athletes the opportunity to shine in front of our own audience. The real Olympic Games are a bit too big for Flanders, but this youth festival is ideal for preparing our young top players for great things. And a home audience always gives you the itch to get moving yourself. Seeing sports, doing sports.”
Flanders in an international showcase
The ‘European Youth Olympic Festival’ (EYOF) is the brainchild of former IOF chairman Jacques Rogge. Since 1991, these ‘Youth Olympic Games’ have been held every two years in a different city or region. Young top athletes between the ages of 14 and 18 from ten different sports disciplines will compete against each other for seven days in July. The EYOF always attracts more than 3,600 athletes from 50 different countries, all of whom bring friends and family with them. There is an opening ceremony and a closing ceremony, but numerous peripheral activities are also possible. In short, the ‘Youth Olympic Games’ are an opportunity to once again put Flanders in the international spotlight.
Strong candidacy
The Flemish Government has given the green light for an official candidacy, in collaboration with the BOIC. It is a strong candidacy, because Flanders now has a lot of experience with major sporting events, a lot of sports infrastructure and strong sports federations. The file can now be further developed and the most suitable host cities can be found. All sports federations involved will be able to cooperate intensively in the preliminary phase and can count on extra support for this. 2029 is an ideal year for a sports event such as the EYOF. It is a lighter year for sports, one year after the 2028 Summer Olympics. Cities and sports federations also still have the necessary time to prepare properly.
Earn every cent back
“These Youth Olympic Games are a milestone in the agenda of every young top athlete,” says Weyts. “We can also use this event to put Flanders on the map as a top sports region. This will require an investment, but I am sure we will recoup every cent. Economical, but also sporty. An international top sporting event in your own country inspires people to get moving themselves. Seeing sports, doing sports.”