President of the Romanian Olympic and Sports Committee (COSR), Mihai Covaliu, attending on Tuesday the General Assembly of the European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) Brasov 2027, declared that this competition represents a strategic investment in the future of sport and an opportunity for Romania to prove that it can host top-level multi-sport events.

'EYOF Brasov 2027 is a strategic investment in the future of Romanian sport. For young athletes, this festival is their first major Olympic experience, and for Romania it is a chance to demonstrate, once again, that it can organize multi-sport events at the highest level,' Covaliu stated, according to a COSR release.

The General Assembly of the EYOF Brasov 2027 project, held at the Olympic House, brought together representatives of the Romanian Olympic and Sports Committee, the Romanian Government, local authorities, sports federations and the Organizing Committee, at a key stage of preparations for the 2027 event.

Participants included Spyros Capralos, President of the Association of European Olympic Committees (EOC); Octavian Morariu, IOC member for Romania; Deputy Prime Minister Tánczos Barna, head of the Interministerial Coordination Committee for EYOF 2027; and Thomas Moldovan, acting president of the National Sports Agency.

Also present were national federation leaders: Puiu Gaspar (skiing and biathlon), Attila Nagy (ice hockey), Maria Coroama (figure skating and short-track), and Károly Szocz (ski mountaineering).

Deputy Prime Minister Barna reaffirmed the government's strong support for EYOF 2027, stressing its strategic importance for Romanian sport, infrastructure development and international promotion. He confirmed that preparations will benefit from institutional and financial backing, including dedicated government mechanisms.

European Olympic Committees (EOC) President Spyros Capralos congratulated the EYOF Brasov 2027 organizing team on its progress, noting that 48 European National Olympic Committees have already confirmed participation - an unprecedented number at this stage. He stressed that the festival represents the first major Olympic experience for young athletes and a key step toward the Olympic Games.

Octavian Morariu recalled the success of EYOF Brasov 2013, underlining the importance of continuity, institutional collaboration and determination in staging an event of such scale, and describing EYOF 2027 as a national project with long-term impact.

Interim National Sports Agency president Thomas Moldovan emphasized the Agency's role in supporting federations and COSR in athlete preparation and competitions. 'EYOF Brasov 2027 is a major opportunity for Romanian sport and for promoting Romania as a sports and tourist destination,' he said.

The president of the Organizing Committee, George Scripcaru, presented the current state of preparations, confirming the project is on track with strong involvement from local authorities and investments designed to leave a lasting legacy for winter sports and host communities. He added that the experience of Brasov 2013 remains a valuable reference point.

COSR noted that the General Assembly reconfirmed EYOF Brasov 2027 as a solid, well-coordinated project supported at both European and national level. The coming months will focus on finalizing the budgetary framework, developing infrastructure and intensifying operational preparations.

At the meeting, the organizational structure and responsibilities were validated, the provisional sports program aligned with EOC standards was discussed, and the estimated budget approved. The conclusions of Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan's meeting with Capralos were presented, alongside the signing of the Agreement of Adherence and Compliance with the Host City Contract for the 18th EYOF winter edition. The visual identity of EYOF Brasov 2027, currently under registration, and which will be officially launched at a later stage, was also presented. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Adrian Tone; EN - writing by: Simona Klodnischi)