EA President Silva visits Istanbul as part of EOC CoCom for 2027 European Games
EA President Antonio Silva took part in the first EOC CoCom visit to 2027 European Games hosts Istanbul. Credit: European Aquatics
European Aquatics President Antonio Silva has participated in the first European Olympic Committees Coordination Commission (CoCom) meeting in Istanbul, which is set to host the 4th European Games in 2027.
The visit began on Wednesday (January 14) with a formal meeting at which members of the EOC CoCom received a positive update on the overall status of preparations as Turkiye’s capital prepares to welcome Europe’s best athletes at the continent’s biggest multi-sport event next year.
They also discussed the budget, the European Games masterplan, the impressive infrastructure offered by Istanbul, and the sports programme which will offer athletes the chance to qualify for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles and will be confirmed later in 2026.
The evaluation concluded yesterday with a tour of sports venues around Istanbul and the Athletes’ Villages.
“This first visit took place in a hugely positive spirit,” Silva commented.
“It enabled members of the Commission to learn what progress has already been made in terms of preparations for next year and what work remains to be done.”
Silva is one of 23 members/experts on the CoCom, which is chaired by EOC Executive Committee member and National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Romania President Mihai Covaliu.
Those present at the formal meeting included EOC President Spyros Capralos, EOC secretary general Carlo Mornati, Türkiye’s Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Aşkın Bak, Acting Mayor of Istanbul Mr Nuri Aslan, Türkiye NOC President Ahmet Gülüm and the Istanbul 2027 European Games Organising Committee President Prof. Dr. Veli Ozan Cakir.
President Capralos expressed his appreciation to all who contributed to a successful visit.
“This was an encouraging visit to Istanbul, a great sporting city which we have seen is in a great position to build on the success of Kraków-Małopolska 2023 and host the best-ever European Games,” he said.
The first European Games, held in the Azerbaijan capital of Baku in 2015, featured junior European athletes in diving, swimming, synchro swimming (artistic swimming) and water polo competition.
The third edition of the Games in Poland – Kraków-Małopolska 2023 – incorporated the European Diving Championships, which served as a qualifying event for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Mike Rowbottom for European Aquatics
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