Do not miss the opportunity to see the ancient symbol of peace, friendship and olympism

Preparations for the European Youth Olympic Festival EYOF Banská Bystrica 2022  are at their peak, and the people of Banská Bystrica can observe lively activity at individual sports fields in the city these days. In several places, the necessary facilities are being built, as well as large-capacity tents intended for rest and food for thousands of participants, athletes and accredited persons from 48 European countries. At the same time, residents and visitors to the city have a unique opportunity to see the gilded statue of the olive tree, a symbol of peace and friendship, brought from Rome to Slovakia by the organisers of EYOF 2022 Banská Bystrica at the end of May, together with the flame of peace, in the premises of the Town Hall on Námestie SNP 1.

The olive tree, once consecrated to the goddess of peace, has been used since ancient times to make olive wreaths for Olympic athletes as a symbol of victory. It was the greatest honor, and therefore it belongs to the symbols even today. From today until July 22, EYOF fans in Banská Bystrica can see the gilded statue of an olive tree forged in fire, which lit the torch of the 16th European Youth Olympic Festival. You can find it in the entrance hall of the City Hall at Námestie SNP 1 on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

„I believe that every fan of EYOF will stop at the town hall as part of wandering around our square and not miss the unique opportunity to see this symbol of peace and friendship. Today we have only a few days left until the European Youth Olympic Festival, and preparations are in full swing in every corner of Banská Bystrica. I am convinced that thanks to the good energy that reigns in the organising team, as well as the support of the residents, we will soon prove that an event of global proportions does not have to be hosted only by metropolises such as Brussels, Paris or Baku, but also by a small town in the heart of Slovakia,“ says the president of the EYOF organising committee, Mayor Ján Nosko.

Maximum effort for the satisfaction of all participants and visitors

The center of the event will be the EYOF Sports Park in Štiavničky, where residents and visitors will be able to encourage domestic and international sports capacities in five sports. Over the last few days, it was possible to build large-capacity tents intended for rest and food for thousands of participants, athletes and accredited persons from 48 European countries, as well as facilities for medical personnel. „It is interesting that the catering zone, which is located in the front part of the beach swimming area, covers an area of approximately 12.000 m2. The tent area is almost 4.000 m2, of which the kitchen is 1.200 m2. Around 120.000 meals are planned to be distributed in this zone during the event,“ adds Ján Brejka from the EYOF organising team.

EYOF 2022 in numbers:

• 10 sports on 13 sports grounds in Banská Bystrica, Badín, Slovenská Ľupča, Detva and Zvolen
• athletics, basketball, badminton, cycling, judo, handball, swimming, sports gymnastics, tennis, volleyball
• 1599 volunteers in the streets of Banská Bystrica
• 3.500 participants from 48 countries
• more than 100-member organisational team