Mass was already said and the suspense was lifted. The only selected candidate, the city of Istanbul won the organization of the European Games in 2027 without the slightest anxiety or an ounce of uncertainty.
Turkey will therefore succeed Azerbaijan (Baku 2015), Belarus (Minsk 2019), and Poland (Krakow-Malopolska 2023), as host of a multisport event which remains anchored in the east of the continent. Istanbul was chosen unanimously by members of the executive committee of the Association of European Olympic Committees (EOC).
According to the official version, the EOC's decision was “ carefully considered”. It was taken after the presentation of a detailed evaluation report, drawn up at the end of a visit by a delegation of experts at the beginning of March. In Istanbul, the EOC team toured the venues and analyzed issues of transport, security, accommodation and facilities for the athletes.
Very trendy: Istanbul is not planning any new construction for the 2027 European Games. All the equipment in the application file already exists, or is planned by the city.
With this designation, the European Olympic committees ensure the essential: survival for at least one new edition of a multisport event whose place still remains fragile in the international calendar. Turkey, for its part, consoles itself by welcoming Europe for its numerous failures in the race for the Summer Olympics. It could also, if the 2027 European Games are successful, embark on the adventure of bidding for the Olympic Games in 2036 with more solid chances.
But Spyros Capralos, president of the EOC, knows it better than anyone: the European Games need to gain credibility. The Greek leader is aware that it requires greater participation in all disciplines. To achieve this, the road has already been mapped out: making the European Games a necessary step on the path to the Olympic Games.
« We will ensure that an even greater proportion of competitions serve as qualifying events for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, insists Spyros Capralos. This would allow future Turkish Olympians to qualify on home soil, supported by an audience of friends and family."
The decision of the EOC executive committee must be presented for approval to the general assembly of the body in June in Bucharest.
