European Olympic Committees President praises Georgia's “excellent”, “high-quality” infrastructure for Youth Olympic Festival
The official also highlighted the significance of the event for Georgia's young athletes. Photo: IPN
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Spyros Capralos, the President of the European Olympic Committees, on Monday praised Georgia’s preparations and domestic infrastructure for hosting the European Youth Olympic Festival this month as “excellent” and “high-quality”.
The country is set to host the Festival through February 16, with over 1,000 athletes from 45 countries set to compete in eight different winter sports across three key locations - capital Tbilisi, the city of Batumi in the west, and the country’s ski resort Bakuriani.
In his press comments, the EOC President said the “Georgian people are warm and hospitable, which is very important because everyone should feel at home here. The new facilities are excellent and meet the highest international standards”.
Reflecting on his visit, Capralos shared his impressions of the atmosphere and preparations leading up to the festival.
I arrived in Georgia yesterday. Mamuka Khabareli, the Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Festival, took me to the skating rink, where there was a wonderful atmosphere. Everyone greeted us with smiles, they were wearing beautiful uniforms, I felt at home”, he added.
The official also highlighted the significance of the event for Georgia's young athletes.
The presentation of the commemorative coin by the President of the Georgian National Bank [on Sunday] was emotional. We experienced the same thing 10 years ago when we held the European Summer Youth Olympic Festival.
“It was a very successful event and that is why we decided to hold the Winter Olympic Festival in Georgia. I believe that your young people will have the opportunity to discover new winter sports, and you will have new champions”, Capralos said as event organisers assessed the final preparations a few hours before the official opening.
The competitions are set to begin on Tuesday, with the visiting official concluding his inspection of the newly built infrastructure.