On 1 December 2014, Patrick Hickey, President of the European Olympic Committees (EOC) met Commissioner Tibor Navracsics in order to exchange views on the future European Sport Policy. The meeting took place in Milan on the occasion of the EU Sport Forum 2014.

President Hickey expressed his wish to deepen the relationship with the EU Commission and invited the Commissioner to the opening of the first European Games in Baku in June 2015 and to the European Evening of Sports organised by the EOC EU Office in Brussels on 6 May 2015. In the meeting President Hickey explained the concept of the European Games and stressed that these Games are not intended to copy the Olympic Games. In Baku, more than 6000 Athletes will compete in 20 different sports. 11 sports will use the European Games as a qualification event for the Olympic Games in Rio 2016. In May 2015, the EOC will decide on the host city of the second edition of the European Games in 2019. Six cities have already expressed their interest.

Regarding European Sport Policy, EOC President Hickey raised his concerns about the new data protection reform and its potential impact on sport. He underlined the necessity that the new frame still allows sport federations to receive and exchange sensitive data linked to the fight against doping and match fixing. The European Institutions will start the Trilogue negotiations most likely in late spring 2015.

With regard to the Erasmus+ Sports chapter, Mr. Hickey stressed the need for simplified procedures in order to boost the participation of regional and local sport actors. In this context, he referred to the number of participants, the pre-financing modalities and the acceptance of voluntary work.

The Commissioner took note of the concrete proposals and expressed his interest to hold meetings with the Olympic Movement, including the IOC, on a regular basis.

Source picture: European Commission