MEDIA DAY: MEDIA GET TO KNOW ABOUT EYOF 2023 AND VENUES
On Friday, May 5, 2023, at the Media Day event, we had the opportunity to present the European Youth Olympic Festival 2023 in more detail to editors and journalists from various media houses. We travelled along the routes of the EYOF venues on the EYOF bus, which as the regular line 6, runs a circular route under Vzpenjača. As we approach Slovenia’s biggest multi-sector sports event, which is less than 80 days away, we wanted to inform the media about the venues and accompanying program and preparations for this exciting event.
Our first stop was the Ljudski vrt stadium, where we welcomed journalists and editors. Mitja Špes, a member of the organizing committee of EYOF 2023, presented them with more information about the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as the accompanying programs.
Our next stop was the Athlete’s village (student dormitories on Gosposvetska cesta), where athletes and accompanied staff will be accommodated. Jan Sredenšek, expert associate for events in Athlete’s village, spoke about the activities for participants in the Athlete’s village, and Maja Krajnc Ružič, director of UM student dormitories, talked about the preparations made for the accommodation of the athletes.
At the Skatepark, we were welcomed by Iztok Šumatič, the president of the Skateboarding Association of Slovenia, and skater Lina Sevčnikar, who shared with us her excitement that skateboarding has finally made it to EYOF, as she will represent Slovenia in this discipline at EYOF 2023.
Then we went to the Poljane Athletics Stadium, where Robert Herga and the young Maribor athlete Žan Ogrinc welcomed us and introduced us to the venue and told us more about the preparations for the athletics competition. Currently, the long-awaited renovation of the Poljane Athletics Stadium is underway, which in the late autumn, winter and early spring months will serve as a training space, which athletics, as a basic sport in Maribor, has not had until now.
“Unfortunately, we are the only Olympic sports industry that does not have guaranteed space in Maribor for conducting trainings, exercises and competitions 365 days a year. With the construction of the grandstand, the possibility of organizing competitions such as national and cup member’s championship competitions, matches of member national teams, Balkan championships, large international athletics meetings and other events of wider importance for Maribor, the wider region and Slovenia will finally open up,” emphasizes Robert Herga, head of sports infrastructure and program manager Šport Maribor.
Ogrinc, who represented Slovenia at the EYOF in Slovakia and won the silver medal in the 800-meter run, says: “To be able to compete in a major competition for my country is a great honour and for that reason I always try to show all my knowledge to I wouldn’t criticize anything after the game. This year’s EYOF will have a special role for me, as the competition will take place at my home stadium in Maribor.“
In the Main Square, we stopped at the countdown, which reminded us how quickly the opening of the festival is approaching, while the dance group VIBE surprised us with an excellent performance of the choreography to the official anthem of EYOF 2023, which instilled in us feelings of pride and enthusiasm.
Our last stop was the VIP reception at the Ljudski vrt stadium, where we entertained the guests and presented them with medals, trays and official clothes of the festival.
Overall, the event was a great opportunity for the media to see the preparations for the European Youth Olympic Festival 2023 and get a taste of the excitement that this event will bring. We look forward to seeing the athletes compete and make history at this amazing festival!
