Idman.biz
The European Games, which will be held in Istanbul in 2027, have been the focus of attention for the past week. First, the European Olympic Committee (EOC) signed an agreement with the Turkish Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Coordination Commission for the organization of the Games was approved, and then this topic was discussed at a conference in Munich.
According to Idman.Biz, the fact that the history of the multi-format forum started in Baku further increases interest in the European Games. Also, considering that competitions in a number of sports are qualifying for the Olympics, the results of these games gain many times more importance.
This also applies to Azerbaijani athletes who will soon begin the fight for a license for Los Angeles.
For example, at the third European Games held in Krakow in 2023, more than 100 quotas were distributed for the Paris Olympics. Considering that wrestling is included in the program, it is not excluded that this number will increase even more in Istanbul. Currently, work on the full program of the multi-sport forum is nearing completion, and this program will become the main component of the selection for the Summer Olympic Games.
"We understand that the early approval of sports in the European Games program will benefit all stakeholders, including athletes, coaches, federations and organizers. The EOC Executive Committee is working on this issue," said EOC President Capralos.
The initial list has already been agreed upon and includes 21 sports. Among them are wrestling and gymnastics, which did not participate in the previous competition but have returned to the program. At the same time, one of the noteworthy points was the inclusion of weightlifting in the multi-sport forum for the first time.
The preliminary competition program also includes judo, taekwondo, boxing, shooting, karate, athletics, fencing, badminton, archery, volleyball, 3x3 basketball, triathlon, modern pentathlon, swimming, rowing and table tennis. In addition, two alternative types – coastal rowing and sailing – have also found their place in the program.
However, the number of sports in the program will actually be higher. Because, for example, the gymnastics program of the European Games held in Baku and Minsk included all sports loved by sports fans, from rhythmic and sports gymnastics to trampoline, acrobatics and aerobics. This was also noted by Farid Gayibov, President of European Gymnastics: "I am proud to announce that gymnastics will once again be part of the European Games. We are now entering the stage of discussing types, numbers and the classification process. Be sure that our goal is to ensure that six types are included in the program, as in the first European Games held in Baku in 2015 and Minsk in 2019 - men's and women's sports gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline, acrobatics and aerobics," said F. Gayibov.
In addition, the first visit of the EOC Coordination Commission to Istanbul will take place in January next year.
Zaki Feyzullayev
