On 5 February, EOC President Spyros Capralos participated in an event on Erasmus+ “Sustainability and social sport: Advancing Europe through sport”, organised by the Erasmus+ National Agencies of France and Italy, ahead of the opening of the Olympic Games Milano-Cortina 2026. Intervening on the importance of sport’s social role in youth and community development, the EOC President highlighted the value of the European Youth Olympic Festivals (EYOF), building cohesion among youth from all over the continent. In the context of discussions on the EU budget 2028-2034, President Capralos praised the excellent cooperation between the European Commission and the European Olympic Committees, allowing for concrete implementation of EU sport policy by sport organisations in Europe. He finally took this opportunity to call on EU institutions to secure solid and predictable investment in sport - notably through Erasmus+, to ensure that sport organisations at all levels can continue delivering on societal priorities.