The 2013 Winter European Youth Olympic Festival will start in just under a month with the Opening Ceremony on the 17th – Closing ceremony on the 22nd.
Martin the Carpathian Brown Bear, official mascot of EYOWF 2013 and the entire Organizing Committee wants the Festival to be a success and to prove that Romania can hold any winter sports competition.
Octavian Morariu, the Romanian NOC President, is to work with the organizers and the EOC commission chaired by Guido De Bondt and the EYOF Manager.
A general rehearsal week is being conducted since last 14th January, with competitions held on the sports facilities which will host the Festival competitions. The ski jumping “FIS Cup”- is taking place in Râşnov and will be attended by athletes from Romania, Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Poland, Ukraine, Bulgaria and China.
Some 1300 participants from almost all European National Olympic Committees are expected in Brasov, and in other two cities of the Region, Rasnov and Predeal.They will compete in eight winter sports disciplines: Alpine Skiing, Cross Country Skiing, Biathlon, Ice Hockey, Figure Skating, Short Track, Ski Jumping and Snowboarding.
The official accommodation will be set in Poiana Brasov, the most popular Romanian Ski resort.
Jacques Rogge, who was the promoter of the EYOF back in the nineties, will attend the Opening Ceremony, for his last time as IOC President.
The full European Olympic Committee Executive Committee will be in attendance, with President Pat Hickey staying during the whole Festival.
An EOC Office will be on duty in the EYOWF Official Hotel.
