Hasan Arat, President of the Commission for the Coordination of Kraków-Małopolska 2023 European Games and member of the Executive Committee of the European Olympic Committee, talks about the main highlights, challenges and innovations of the most important multi-sport event in the world this year.

European Games with huge challenges related to COVID, war

Mr. Arat, how do you feel a few days before the start of the Games?

“After so much work, together with the Polish organizers and the Polish Olympic Committee, we are almost ready! Yesterday we hosted the first Chefs de Mission meeting in the Athletes' Village. Now we are just waiting for the athletes to arrive. The preparation is the hard part. As organizers, we always feel better when the competition starts!

I wish everyone a lot of success, especially the teams. Krakow is a great city and I hope all visitors can also enjoy all that this beautiful area of ​​Małopolska has to offer.”

The preparation for these Games was different from all the others. What were the biggest challenges the organizers faced?

“Initially, like sports organizations around the world, the huge challenge we had to overcome was the Covid-19 pandemic. Then, almost immediately after this problem was resolved, the war in Ukraine became a major challenge, as Poland is located right on the border and has taken in 2 million refugees. Naturally, the situation placed great demands on the Polish government. Despite everything, they did not give up and the government, under the leadership of President Duda, gave full support to the Games.

It is thanks to this, and also thanks to the responsible model of these Games, which did not require the construction of new venues, that we are able to start the competition in a few days. I also want to emphasize the importance of volunteers. They are the backbone of these Games and I have really seen the strength of their commitment over the past few days.

In their short history, the European Games have forged a reputation as pioneers. What are some of the new items we can expect in this edition?

A major event is our new agreement with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which broadcasts these Games in 50 countries, including 38 in Europe. This is an important step that will significantly expand the reach of the European Games, in addition to some exciting digital marketing innovations.

We will also welcome the WCC refugee team here for the first time, with the participation of four athletes. And of course, very important, these Games will serve as a qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympics, which will bring a lot of attention.

We are also introducing new sports, such as padel, teqball, muay-thai, kickboxing and rugby sevens, which had never been present before. It's very exciting. It is also very important for us to host the European esports championship in Katowice as a side event of the Games, with the participation of 27 countries in a high level continental competition.

We have to be innovative and the European Games give us this opportunity to promote sports that could become part of the Olympic program in the future, like 3X3 basketball in Baku in 2015. It is important for us to play the role bridge between current and potential Olympic sports.”

european games 2023 padel

Le padel, a special place

What do you expect from the highlights of these Games?

“First of all, I think the opening ceremony (June 21) will be very interesting. The finals of padel and teqball in the heart of Krakow's Old Town are sure to be important highlights as well.

Of course, athletics in Silesia, with the participation of 48 nations in three divisions of the European Team Championship, and many Olympic, world and European champions on the starting lists.

And I will also mention the summer ski jump in Zakopane, where we will have the participation of the Olympic champion of the Winter Games. The atmosphere in this place is breathtaking. It is something impressive to have on the program of the European Games.

I could also talk about fencing and shooting, or artistic swimming and diving, which will take place in existing world-class venues in Poland. Then you will have the opportunity to discover the beautiful countryside of Małopolska during the mountain bike and BMX events. Honestly, there's so much going on that it's hard to pick just a few highlights! I can only say that it is going to be a really interesting event.”

Source: I

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