The two-day General Assembly of the European Olympic Committees (EOC), held on 12 and 13 June in Budapest, brought together representatives of Europe’s National Olympic Committees to discuss key issues facing the Olympic Movement. Topics included preparations for the 4th European Games Istanbul 2027, a review of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, reports from the EOC’s 11 commissions, as well as updates from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC). NOC Montenegro was represented by President Dušan Simonović and Deputy Secretary General Maja Peković.
During the Assembly, the EOC Executive Committee endorsed the candidacy of EOC President Spyros Capralos for the presidency of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC). The election will take place at the ANOC General Assembly in Hong Kong this December.
On the first day, ahead of the one-year-to-go milestone on 16 June, the Organising Committee of the 4th European Games Istanbul 2027 presented progress updates to the European National Olympic Committees, while EOC President Spyros Capralos underlined the growing importance of Europe’s premier multi-sport event. The Chief Executive Officer of Istanbul 2027 and members of his team delivered a detailed report on preparations and informed the National Olympic Committees of key dates over the coming year, beginning with the Chefs de Mission Seminar, which will take place from 29 June to 2 July. The report also outlined the sports programme and venue plans, with Istanbul 2027 set to offer the highest number of Olympic qualification places in the history of the European Games.
President Capralos emphasised that the coming year will be crucial for Istanbul 2027 to realise its full potential and build on the growing momentum of the European Games. He noted that the Games have become an established and increasingly significant event, offering important qualification pathways in numerous Olympic sports and, through cooperation with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and partner broadcasters, ensuring extensive free-to-air television coverage across the continent. He stressed that, with only one year remaining, time is becoming a critical factor and that there is a real sense of urgency in the organisers’ work.
Prior to the Istanbul 2027 presentation, following welcome addresses from the Hungarian hosts, IOC President Kirsty Coventry and EOC President Spyros Capralos, EOC Secretary General Carlo Mornati, Treasurer Peter Mennel and Chief Executive Officer Ján Leman briefed delegates on the latest activities of the European Olympic Committees. ANOC Secretary General Gunilla Lindberg and IOC Director for NOC Relations, Olympic Solidarity and Olympism365, James Macleod, provided updates on the cooperation between their organisations, the EOC and the European National Olympic Committees.
Addressing delegates for the first time since her election in 2025, IOC President Kirsty Coventry praised Europe’s enduring and central role within the Olympic Movement and its contribution to raising standards in areas such as athlete representation, safeguarding, gender equality, sustainability and good governance. Delegates also heard opening remarks from Hungarian Olympic Committee President Zsolt Gyulay, Mayor of Budapest Gergely Karácsony and Hungary’s Minister of the Interior, Gábor Pócsfai, highlighting the strength and unity of the European Olympic Movement.
On the second day, following the presentation of the EOC Laurel Awards to distinguished figures in European sport, delegates received updates on preparations for the two European Youth Olympic Festivals scheduled for 2027 — the Winter edition in Brașov, Romania, and the Summer edition in Lignano Sabbiadoro, Italy — as well as reports from EOC commissions aligned with the Strategic Agenda 2030. Progress updates were also presented on the organisation of the Games of the Small States of Europe Monaco 2027.
The 56th EOC General Assembly will be held in Istanbul on 15 June 2027.
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