The European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) is halfway through and has received very positive reviews in terms of both sports and organization. At a press conference held on Monday in the North Macedonian capital, leaders of the European Olympic Committee (EOC), representatives of the organizing committee, and prominent athletes reviewed the first days of competition and highlighted the impact of the event on continental sports.

Among the participants were EOC President Spyros Capralos; EOC EYOF Commission President Liney Rut Halldórsdóttir; Organizing Committee and North Macedonian Olympic Committee President Daniel Dimevski; and the host country’s Minister of Sport, Borko Ristovski.

Young talent already making its mark

The event was also attended by leading athletes such as Estonia’s Allika Inkeri Moser, who broke the world U18 record in the women’s pole vault on the first day, and North Macedonia’s Matea Poposka, the local flag bearer and player on the women’s volleyball team.

“I am very happy to have been able to compete here, and even more so to have won a gold medal,” said Moser. “That world record still seems unreal to me.”

Poposka, for her part, emphasized the atmosphere: “As an athlete, I can say that the conditions are excellent. Everything is organized at the highest level and the atmosphere is truly inspiring. Thanks to the Ministry of Sport for giving us the support to compete at our best. Our goal is clear: we want to make North Macedonia proud.”

More than half of the countries have already made it to the podium

Just two days after the start of the competition, 31 of the 50 participating delegations have already won medals. This reflects the wealth of young talent in Europe and the equality of the event. In addition, digital coverage has been remarkable: on the second day alone, broadcasts reached 100,000 views in athletics, 80,000 in badminton, 60,000 in basketball, and 45,000 in swimming.

Capralos recalled that figures such as Yaroslava Mahuchikh, Femke Bol, and Thomas Ceccon all participated in this same event before becoming Olympic champions. “For many, the EYOF is their first experience in an international multi-sport event. It is an opportunity to compete, but also to make friendships that can last a lifetime,” he said.

An edition that breaks all records

Skopje 2025 is the largest edition in the history of the EYOF, with 15 disciplines on the program and more than 4,000 athletes and officials in attendance. It is also the largest sporting event ever held in North Macedonia.

“The EYOF is much more than just sport: it is a platform to connect our youth with Europe and showcase the best of our country,” said Daniel Dimevski, who also announced that a new national swimming record has already been broken and is confident that North Macedonia will win more medals in the coming days.

Minister Ristovski praised the magnitude of the event: “As a country, we have a historic opportunity to host more than 4,000 athletes and coaches. This is not just a sporting event, but an investment in the future of North Macedonian sport. I am particularly pleased that our athletes can compete at home against the best in Europe. It is a huge opportunity for everyone: institutions, athletes, and citizens.”