EYOF can begin!

After the official defile of 49 national teams with around 3.000 competitors, participants were greeted by the deputy major of Belgrade and vice-president of the Oganising Committee of the EYOF Radmila Hrustanović, and the President of the European Olympic Committee, Mr. Patric Hickey.

Flame of the EYOF in the Belgrade "Arena" was brought by fastest Serbian athlete on 400 m, Slobodan Branković, and the torch in front of the Hall was lit by the best shooter in the world Jasna Šekarić.

In revial part of the programe participated around 100 performers, and participants of the EYOF were greeted by nine thousand visitors.
– Visitors in “Areni”, will have the opportunity to enjoy in defile of participants, lighting the torch and rising the olympic flag, and in interesting artistic programe, folowed by music composed by Sanja Ilić. Through media, this picture from Belgrade will be seen all over the World and we will give our best to represent ourselves in the best possible way – said Đorđević.

Besides 3.500 competitors from 49 countries (for the first time from Montenegro), a great number of sports fans is expected, as well as the presence of representatives from sports and political establishment from Serbia and journalists.
Competition in 11 sports wil be held in 15 sports facilities – in Šumice, on Banjica, Taš, Spors Hall, stadium of the FC Partizan.

Disruption of FC Partizan's stadium, announced for the end of this football season, was posponed for later date, so young athletes from Europe will have the chance to compete for medals on this stadium.

In the Military Gymnasium was made one more athletic lane.

– We are sending a message of peace and friendship to all guests from Europe. We are spreading our hands as sports rivals, and as brothers to all athletes, members of their delegations, and officials from the European Olympic Committee, who will be hosted by our city from 21. to 28. July this year – said Đorđe Višacki, the Director of EYOF 2007.

It was announced that, during the duration of the Festival in Belgrade will be presend Mr. Jacques Rogge, the President of the Intrenational Olympic Committee, who is also founder of this biggest European sports competition, while being the President of the European Olympic Committee.

What really reminds on the Olympic Games, besides the number of participants, is Olympic Vullage in the Student Town. The biggest Student town in Balkans has the capacity of 4.406 beds, devided in four blocks.

All rooms are with two, three beds and sweets. Each of them has its own bathroom, kitchen, digital phone line, and internet.

Reception is open for 24 hours, near by there is electronic exchange, shop and reading room with capacity of 100 people.

All European teams, including the host, will be accommodated in the Student Town. National Serbian Television has provided the signal, so that Eurosport can broadcast all events.

EYOF is real nursery of future great Olympic competitoras and top athletes.

More tha 80 athletes who used to be participating in the European Youth Olympic Festival, were winners of medals on the Olympic Games.
The most famous are Janica Kostelić, Anja Paerson, Gabrijela Sabo in Athletics and Carolina Cluft.

Having the opportunity to be the host, Serbia will have biggest number of athletes competing in the Festival. The possibility to compete in Volleyball, Basketball and Handball will have exclusively Serbia. Montenegro won't have participants in team sports.

Montenegro will be represented by nine judists, five athletes, two swimmers and four table-tennis players.

EYOF will last until Saturday, 28th July.