EYOF. Behind this enigmatic name hides an event with rather vague contours. The European Youth Olympic Festival. Sa 11rd edition, winter version, takes place from February 17 to 22, 2013 in Brasov, Romania. A ski resort of more than 300 people, the largest in Eastern Europe, located at the curvature of the Carpathian mountains. More than 000 young skiers, jumpers, skaters, surfers, hockey players and biathletes from 1500 countries are expected there. Clarification: they are aged 48 to 14 years old.
What is the purpose of the EYOF? When the event was born, in 1991, the question struggled to find a good answer. The idea had sprouted in the mind of Jacques Rogge, then president of the European Olympic Committees. What followed showed that his initiative had not undermined his ambitions, quite the contrary.
Since then, this multidisciplinary competition, organized every two years, in winter then in summer, has discreetly found its place in the landscape. It serves as a springboard for some, a revelation for others. The champions of tomorrow cut their teeth there, without excessive pressure, with the certainty of laying the first milestones for a future career. His track record pleads his case. In France, the skiers Jean-Baptiste Grange and Tessa Worley (giant world champion Thursday February 14 in Schladming), the “combinard” Jason Lamy-Chpuis (Olympic champion in 2010), and the biathlete Marie Dorin (silver medalist at the Vancouver Games), discovered international competition there. In Switzerland, past editions have seen skaters Stéphane Lambiel (world champion in 2005 and 2006) and Sarah Meier (European champion in 2011), skier Carlo Janka (Olympic giant champion in 2010), the cross-country skier Dario Cologna (Olympic gold medalist in Vancouver). On the Belgian side, Pieter Gysel made a name for himself there in 1997, before wearing the country's colors in short track at the 2002, 2006 and 2010 Games.
No question, therefore, of ignoring the event. France has carefully composed a delegation of 44 athletes, competing in seven sports. At the head of the procession, Anaïs Ventard, 16 years old, French figure skating champion. Switzerland pushed the walls, to send 53 young athletes aged 15 to 18 to Romania. Belgium opted for a reduced team, just two skaters, short-track specialists.
The opening ceremony on the 11thrd Winter Youth Olympic Festival, Sunday February 17, should be full of dignitaries. Jacques Rogge, the president of the IOC, is expected, as is the Irishman Patrick Hickey, president of the European Olympic Committees. They should rub shoulders, in the grandstand of the High School Sports Arena in Brasov, with the President of the Republic of Romania, Traian Basescu, and his Prime Minister, Victor Ponta, will also be there.
