The European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) in Bakuriani, Georgia, is a significant event showcasing young athletic talent from across Europe. This year’s festival, running from February 9 to 16, 2025, features nearly 900 athletes from 45 countries competing in eight winter sports: alpine skiing, biathlon, cross-country skiing, figure skating, freestyle skiing, ice hockey, short track speed skating, and snowboarding.
Events so far have attracted attendance from Georgian Dream’s president Mikheil Kavelashvili and EOC President Sypros Capralos. The opening ceremony featured performances by the Holy Trinity Cathedral Choir and an orchestra led by Nika Nikvashvili. The Flame of Peace, which was lit in Rome on December 19 and carefully transported to Bakuriani. was ignited by Koba Tsakadze and Anastasia Mirianashvili.
The festival was the first-ever of its sort for Georgia, with EYOF Bakuriani 2025 Organizing Committee President Mamuka Khabareli saying that the event will leave a lasting legacy for the country’s winter sports and culture: the festival has led to the development of new sports facilities in Tbilisi and Batumi, enhancing the infrastructure for winter sports in Georgia.
Notable Performances:
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Short Track Speed Skating: On February 10, 2025, Jesper Schmitz of the Netherlands and Lisa Victoria Ngo Mouaha of France won gold medals in the 1,500-meter events in their respective categories. Schmitz secured his gold with a time of 2:27.560, narrowly defeating Italy’s Filippo Pezzoni, who took silver in 2:27.753. Mouaha clinched her gold with a time of 2:42.123, while Poland’s Daria Daszuta claimed silver in 2:42.562.
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Figure Skating: The figure skating events have showcased young athletes demonstrating skill and artistry. Inga Gurgenidze of Georgia delivered a stunning performance in the short program, earning 58.84 points and securing third place.
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Ice Hockey: The girls’ ice hockey tournament concluded with Czechia triumphing over Finland in the gold medal match. The boys’ tournament is currently underway at the Tbilisi Ice Arena.
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Snowboarding: Snowboarding events are being held at Didveli in Bakuriani from February 11 to 15, featuring competitions in big air and slopestyle disciplines.
The festival continues to provide a platform for young athletes to showcase their talents and foster international sportsmanship.
