Rome, May 16, 2024 - The European Olympic Committees (EOC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Rome with representatives from the City of Istanbul and the Turkish Olympic Committee, marking a historic step towards Istanbul hosting the European Games in 2027.
In March, the EOC Executive Committee accepted Istanbul as the host city of the fourth edition of the European Games and began the process of signing the MoU with the largest city in Türkiye. This formal step was taken by the EOC President Spyros Capralos, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, and Vice President of the Turkish Olympic Committee Kazım Âli Kiremitçioğlu. The ratification of the memorandum is expected at the EOC General Assembly meeting in June. The Games in Istanbul will build on the success of the European Games in Krakow and Małopolska in 2023, and the best European athletes will compete in numerous sports for a chance to qualify for the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028.
At the ceremony in Rome, the EOC President Capralos, Istanbul Mayor İmamoğlu, and Turkish Olympic Committee Vice President Kiremitçioğlu expressed their joy and great excitement about the 2027 European Games.
"Today's Memorandum of Understanding will enable us to host the European Games. Türkiye is a country dedicated to sports and has a longstanding history of organizing outstanding events, in the past and recently alike. When we began our negotiations with the city of Istanbul and the Turkish Olympic Committee last year, we knew we had partners we could trust to deliver sucessful European Games. The city is already prepared to host the best European athletes, the infrastructure is in place, which will make these Games cost-effective and sustainable, built on the model that worked in Poland last year," said President Capralos, adding:
"Istanbul has proven to be a city with people who have skills, experience, and passion for hosting fantastic events. It is a city with a great love for sports, and we look forward to working together to stage European Games that can encourage people of all ages across the continent to lead healthy lives and participate in sports. We believe that the European Games will build on the momentum of the Paris 2024 Olympics and the Winter Olympics in Italy 2026. This is an extraordinary time for European sport."
Istanbul Mayor İmamoğlu expressed his pleasure at welcoming the best European athletes to Türkiye in three years:
"We are honored to be in Rome to sign the Memorandum of Understanding with the EOC, which signifies the strengthening of Türkiye 's full commitment to hosting the European Games in Istanbul in 2027. With the European Games, we are committed to reshaping the way our region and Europe engage in sport. Istanbul will serve as a grand and inspiring stage for athletes from all over Europe. Thank you to President Capralos and the EOC for entrusting us with such an important event. Together with the European Olympic Committees, we embark on a long and exciting journey."
The Vice President of the Turkish NOC, Kazım Âli Kiremitçioğlu, reiterated the TOC's commitment to the European Games and Istanbul's candidacy, emphasizing the impact that the European Games will have on sports in Türkiye and across the continent.
In conclusion, the head of the Turkish Olympic Committee, Kiremitçioğlu, pointed out:
"The Turkish Olympic Committee is pleased to sign the Memorandum of Understanding with the EOC and the City of Istanbul. Not only that the upcoming European Games will be inspiring for our elite athletes, but it is also believed that they will further strengthen the role of sports in Türkiye and encourage children and adults throughout the country to engage in regular physical activities. Türkiye is ready to welcome the European Games!"
