From 20 June to 22 June, the EOC EU Office, in cooperation with the Olympic Sports movement organisations, hosted in Brussels two events that fostered discussions among those who shape and bring life to sport in Europe. 

The European Athletes’ Forum brought together Olympic athletes – representatives of Athletes’ Commissions (ACs) - who received useful information from the IOC's and EOC's teams regarding  e.g. Olympic Solidarity or AC's elections, and engaged in a discussion on current and future challenges and opportunities related to EU policies and legislation with relevance to sport (European Sport model, sustainability, funding, gender equality).    

The EOC EU Office’s flagship event - the 6th European Evening of Sport – took place on 21 June in the Representation of the German Baden-Württemberg Region in Brussels, joining representatives of the Olympic movement and high-level EU decision-makers. 

IOC President Thomas Bach gave his keynote address on the challenges presented by the recent health crisis and the Russian aggression on Ukraine. On this note, Sergii Bubka, President of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine, also expressed his gratitude to the European sports family which continues to provide incredible support to Ukrainian athletes. 

The upcoming major sports events happening in Europe and the future of such events on the continent, served as a backdrop for the main panel discussion, which brought together some of the main stakeholders offering the attendees different perspectives as to how sports events should respond to the challenges of our time and offer the best possible conditions to athletes, whilst increasing attractiveness for fans. 

The event also served as an opportunity to strengthen the close cooperation and shared values of the Olympic sports movement and EU institutions, with the official signature of an Arrangement for Cooperation between the European Commission and the EOC, signed by EOC President, Spyros Capralos, and Mariya Gabriel, European Commissioner for Innovation, Culture and Education, responsible for sport.  

The EOC EU Office would like to thank all the participants and collaborators for making both events a great success.