The Czech Republic has been awarded the EYOF 2029. The Liberec Region will be celebrating once again with young Olympic energy!

The European Olympic Committees (EOC) have officially confirmed that the European Youth Olympic Winter Festival EYOF 2029 will take place in the Czech Republic. Following the successful submission of the candidature, the subsequent memorandum and the guarantee of the Czech Government, the hosting is now finally confirmed.

"This is an extraordinary expression of support for the Olympic Movement in Europe. We are thrilled that the Czech Republic will take on this prestigious role. Your commitment to Olympic values and your efforts to provide young European athletes with a platform for international competition are truly admirable," the official letter from the European Olympic Committees reads. "We are confident that the Czech Olympic Committee's wealth of experience - including the historic hosting of the 2011 EYOF in Liberec - will make the 2029 edition one of the best ever."

Hosting the EYOF 2029 in the Czech Republic is a result of the cooperation between the Czech Olympic Committee, the Liberec Region, the City of Liberec, the Technical University of Liberec and the state, which provided the necessary guarantee. The final confirmation from the EOC now allows preparations for this prestigious sporting event to begin.

"We are glad that we have brought our candidacy to a successful end and the hosting has been officially confirmed by the European Olympic Committees. Now we can start preparations together with the region, the city of Liberec and the Technical University with the support of the Government of the Czech Republic," said Roman Kumpošt, Vice- President of the Czech Olympic Committee.

Opportunity for young people

"The EYOF is a perfect opportunity for young athletes, many are starting their top international careers there. We have a very good sporting background in Liberec and co-organizing such an important event is also an opportunity for us to receive funding from the state for further development. The festival will also promote the city of Liberec abroad and remind everyone how successful our history has been," adds Liberec Mayor Jaroslav Zámečník.

According to Adam Lenert, Deputy Mayor of Liberec for Sport, the upcoming event is also an excellent opportunity to attract novice athletes to top sport, but also the general public.

"It will be a feast of movement, competition, adrenaline and fair play. The festival can inspire and motivate even those who are not regularly involved in sporting activities. Liberec and sport have always belonged together. That is why we support it in the long term and to the maximum extent," says Adam Lenert, Deputy Mayor of Liberec.

EYOF 2029 wants to build on the succesfull legacy of the winter edition in 2011, when the North of Bohemia became the venue of the festival for the first time. Back then, for example, future Olympic champion Ester Ledecká, who dominated the parallel giant slalom on a snowboard, was not missing on the slopes.  The EYOF is held every two years in alternating summer and winter versions and is considered one of the key steps on the path of young athletes to top sport.

"I am glad that the festival will be held in the Liberec Region again after many years. It is good not only in terms of promoting sport, but also in terms of developing tourism and the regional economy. The Liberec Region is a mecca for winter sports," said Martin Půta, the Governor of the Liberec Region. "Young athletes have long been successful at the Children's Winter Olympics and our region is an ideal place to host similar events, such as the European Youth Winter Olympic Festival." said Martin Půta, Governor of the Liberec Region.

The preparations are starting

After the confirmation of the hosting, preparatory work will start at all levels. The main venues will be sports venues across the Liberec Region. The exact schedule will be gradually refined. The EYOF 2029 will not only provide a sporting spectacle, but also a significant boost for the development of infrastructure, tourism and the international prestige of the region.