Flanders wants to organize the ‘Youth Olympic Games’ in 2029

“We are going to give our young top athletes the opportunity to shine in front of our own audience,” says Weyts. “The real Olympic Games are a size too big for Flanders, but this youth festival is ideal for preparing our young top players for great things.”

The ‘European Youth Olympic Festival’ (EYOF) is the brainchild of former IOC president Jacques Rogge and was first organized in Brussels in 1991. Young top athletes between the ages of 14 and 18 from 10 different sports disciplines will compete against each other for 7 days in July. The EYOF always attracts more than 3,600 athletes from 50 different countries.

The Flemish Government has given the green light for an official candidacy for the 2029 edition, in collaboration with the BOIC – which would act as the organizing committee. The file can now be further developed and the most suitable host cities can be found. The 10 sports disciplines for 2029 have not yet been determined: 8 disciplines must in any case be an Olympic sport, but Flanders will also be able to choose 2 sports disciplines itself.

“These Youth Olympic Games are a milestone in the agenda of every young top athlete,” says Weyts. “We can also use this event to put Flanders on the map as a top sports region. This will require an investment, but I am sure we will recoup every cent. Economical, but also sporty. An international top sporting event in your own country inspires people to get moving themselves. Seeing sports, doing sports.”

The Flemish government has given the green light for an official candidacy to organize the 2029 edition. The BOIC wants to act as an organizing committee. The initiative must now be further developed, including a search for the most suitable host cities.

The 10 sports disciplines have not yet been determined: 8 disciplines must in any case be an Olympic sport, but Flanders will also be able to choose 2 disciplines itself, and thus possibly pay attention to newer sports or more niche sports. All sports federations involved can participate in the preliminary phase and can count on extra support, according to Weyts.

“We can also use this event to put Flanders on the map as a top sports region,” says Weyts. “This will require an investment, but I am sure we will recoup every cent. Economical, but also sporty. An international top sporting event in our own country inspires people to get moving themselves.”