Martin Burke, Chef de Mission for the EYOF Summer Games, has arranged for Athletics and Snowsports to attend planning seminars in OCI HQ on Saturday, 10th January. An additional seminar will be run for Cycling, Gymnastics and Swimming on a date that is convenient to the three sports.
He said “The initial seminar will be attended by AAI athletes and Winter EYOF team and coaches in the frame for Slask Beskidy and Tampere 2009. Other sports specific seminars will follow. Whilst they will be updated on the W/EYOF events, the main focus will involve an athlete/coach planning workshop with OCI’s Stephen Martin, sports scientist Dr Giles Warrington, and Dr Rod McLoughlin. Whie both sports appear to be at oppposite ends of the spectrum in terms of season, venue and technical requirements, the preparation for any major event does not differ much whatever the sport. It will also be an opportunity for the athletes of both sports to learn from each other.
This is part of the Olympic Council of Ireland’s W/EYOF preparation programme to ensure athletes and officials have the best possible support to maximise performance at the W/EYOF .”
Background to EYOF:
In 1990, thanks to the initiative of Jacques Rogge’s, the European Olympic Committee launched the European Youth Olympic Days, nowadays known as the EYOF, the only multi-sport event on this continent.The EYOFs, that have a Summer and a Winter edition, take place every year with an odd number. Since they were launched they have taken place in:
1991 in Brussels (Belgium);
1993 in Aosta (Italy) and in Valkenswaard (Netherlands)
1995 in Andorra-La Vella (Andorra) and in Bath (Great Britain)
1997 in Sundsvall (Sweden) and in Lisbon (Portugal)
1999 in Poprad Tatry (Slovakia) and in Esbjerg (Denmark)
2001 in Vuokatti (Finland) and in Murcia (Spain).
2003 in Bled (Slovenia) and in Paris (France).
2005 in Monthey (Switzerland) and in Lignano Sabbiadoro (Italy)
2007 in Jaca (Spain) and in Belgrad (Serbia)
2009 in Slask Beskidy (Poland) and in Tampere (Finland)
2011 in Liberec (the Czech Republic) and in Trabzon (Turkey)
