The European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) is coming to Belgium in 2029.
On Saturday, the European Olympic Committees (EOC) General Assembly selected Belgium’s candidacy, with Flanders as the region, as the designated host. The Belgian Olympic and Interfederal Committee (BOIC) announced the news on its website.
Flanders is not yet certain to host, as a feasibility study in the coming months will determine the final decision. The study will evaluate the sports programme, host cities, and accommodations. The BOIC hopes to finalise plans and announce the host cities by summer.
Belgium last hosted the EYOF in Brussels in 1991.
The EYOF is a multidisciplinary sports competition for athletes aged between 14 and 18. It occurs every two years, with summer and winter editions. For many athletes, it is their first experience of international competition. Several Belgian Olympic champions, including Tia Hellebaut, Kim Gevaert, Justine Henin, Nafi Thiam, and Nina Derwael, have participated in the EYOF in the past.
On Saturday, BOIC President Jean-Michel Saive was elected to the Executive Committee of the European Olympic Committees during their General Assembly in Frankfurt. He will serve a four-year term.
