Flanders in pole position to host European Youth Olympic Festival in 2029
Belgium is set to host the 2029 European Youth Olympic Festival, with Flanders the chosen region. On Saturday, the European Olympic Committees selected the Belgian bid as the preferred candidate, the Belgian Olympic and Interfederal Committee (BOIC) confirmed.
Although Flanders is in pole position, the final decision is not yet confirmed. In the coming months, a feasibility study will examine key aspects such as the sports programme, host cities and accommodation to ensure they meet expectations.
The BOIC aims to finalise these details by the summer, when the participating cities will be officially announced. If confirmed, this will mark the return of the event to Belgium for the first time since its inaugural edition in Brussels in 1991.
First international experience
The EYOF is a multi-sports competition for athletes aged 14 to 18 and is held every two years, alternating between summer and winter editions. For many young athletes, it is their first experience of international competition.
Notable Belgian Olympic champions such as Tia Hellebaut, Kim Gevaert, Justine Henin, Nafi Thiam and Nina Derwael all took part at an early stage in their careers.
In addition to the selection of the Belgian bid, BOIC president Jean-Michel Saive was elected as a member of the EOC Executive Committee during the general assembly in Frankfurt on Saturday. He will serve a four-year term.
#FlandersNewsService | Beau Brunclair with fellow Team Belgium athletes in Ghent, July 2023, ahead of the European Youth Olympic Festival © BELGA PHOTO KURT DESPLENTER
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