Turkey Named as Host Nation For 2019 Winter EYOF

Turkey has been confirmed as the host nation for the Winter European Youth Olympic Festival in 2019.

The announcement was made at the European Olympic Committee (EOC) General Assembly in Baku last week.

Turkish Olympic Committee Sports Director, health Alp Berker, presented the Games concept at the General Assembly with a Turkish delegation which included Turkish Olympic Committee President, Professor Dr. U?ur Erdener.

Erzurum in Eastern Turkey, will be the host city for the event and already has a history of hosting major international events, including the FIS Junior Nordic World Ski Championships, the FIS Snowboard Junior World Ski Championships and the Winter Universiade.

President of the Turkish Olympic Committee, Professor Dr. U?ur Erdener, said: “In Turkey we are committed to ensuring that sustainability is at the forefront of our minds when we are hosting these major events and we have been eager to use the wonderful facilities from the Winter Universiade in 2011 to continue to promote sport participation among our nation’s many young people.

“As you all know, 40% of the Turkish population is below the age of 25. They are the perfect place to start to ensure that we create a society which holds the Olympic values at its core.

“The people of Erzurum are passionate about their city as a destination for exciting winter sport events and will be delighted to welcome their fellow athletes from all over the continent in 2019.”

Mayor of Erzurum, Mehmet Sekmen, said: “It will be an honour for our city to host the Winter European Youth Olympic Festival.

“We are ready to offer guests the highest quality sports facilities and a warm Anatolian welcome. Erzurum looks forward to welcoming the very best of Europe’s young athletes in 2019.”

The Winter European Youth Olympic Festival is the top multisport event for young European athletes and usually involves around 1,600 participants. The proposed dates for the Winter EYOF in Erzurum are 9-16 February 2019.