European Youth Olympic Festival: small Olympics of future stars

Last updated on Monday, 30/08/2021

The European Youth Olympic Festival is one of the top events for young European athletes aiming at an international experience.

Launched in 1990, the European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) is the first top European multi-sport event aimed at young athletes on the initiative of the Association of European Olympic Committees (EOC). There is a winter and a summer edition, which take place in two-year cycles, in odd-numbered years.

What is it about?

The EYOF teaches the values and ideals embodied by the principles of Pierre de Coubertin’s Olympic Charter. Within the Olympic ideal, the Festival helps create mutual understanding without any form of discrimination and fosters the spirit of friendship, fair play and tolerance. At the same time it encourages more youngsters to practise sport and lead a healthy lifestyle.

"The EYOF is a perfect occasion to teach young athletes from all over Europe about the importance of ideals such as fair competition, respect, tolerance and friendship."
Jean-Michel Saive

The EYOF symbolically unites the youth from up to 50 European countries in one Athletes' Village, therefore enhancing European integration. The Festival is also a gateway to the Olympic Games, with many medallists having gone on to win medals at an Olympic Games, and gives top young athletes a first taste of what an Olympic event is like.

Who can take part?

Summer and Winter European Youth Olympic Festivals are aimed at young athletes from all over Europe. Participation is open to athletes between the ages of 14 and 18 nominated by their National Olympic Committee, which is a member of the European Olympic Committees (EOC). Approximately 3,600 participants go to the summer festivals, while in winter there are approximately 1,600 participants.
If you are not an athlete, you can be part of the EYOF by volunteering at one of the Festivals. It’s a great opportunity to gain experience with organising a big event, therefore developing employability skills while meeting people from other European countries.

What happens during the Festival?

The EYOF follows the same lines as the Olympic Games: there are both opening and closing ceremonies, the Olympic flame burns during the entire festival, the national anthem is played in honour of the winner, and the flags of all medallists are raised.
The Winter Festival counts ten olympic sports: alpine skiing, biathlon, cross country, curling, figure skating, ice hockey, short track, ski jumping, snowboarding and Nordic combined. The Summer Festival counts eleven: artistic gymnastics, athletics, basketball, cycling, canoe sprint handball, judo, swimming, tennis, volleyball and wrestling.