Reconstruction of sports venues is continuing and further test events are planned 

Preparations for the European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) in Banská Bystrica, where young athletes will compete in eleven sectors from 24 to 30 July 2022, are in full swing. Marek Majerčák, the sports director of the event, summarized the news from the sports part´s point of view at EYOF 2022: “Things are moving on several fronts. One part is that by the end of the year, we plan to undergo visits of technical delegates at the individual sports venues, so we want each sport to be approved to the extent and schedule we have planned. Reconstruction of individual sports facilities is also taking place. As for internal affairs, next week, we will meet with the managers of competitions in individual sports. We want to go through the so-called status report, where we are currently in preparation, what is still concerning us and what is still waiting for us in the near future. We want people who have experience in organising events within individual unions to be participants in our volunteer program too. These are the sports which will be a part of the EYOF. It is because volunteers are a very important part of such a big event.”

Several sports venues dedicated to the EYOF 2022 have hosted successful test events in recent months, and more should take place in the coming months to test their readiness. “It´s already planned. By the end of the year it should be badminton, just after the New Year, volleyball follows. It is our interest to have completed all test events at individual sports facilities by the end of April,” Majerčák remarked.

In this context, the reconstruction of sports facilities is also important. “This is mainly about gymnastics. It was confirmed that the winter stadium in Banská Bystrica, which will be used as a hall for this sport, should be ready by the end of the year. Reconstruction of the hall in Detva, which will be used for handball, should also begin. Last week, the athletic stadium was handed over, which has also had its grand opening, and we are happy about that. It looks fantastic, the conditions for athletes are amazing there,” added the sports director of EYOF 2022 information on the current state of sports facilities.