Besides the authorities, some local ski clubs were also present in Piazza Libertà.
For the Regional Councillor for Tourism, Sergio Emidio Bini, the Olympic torch is a symbol of peace that Friuli Venezia Giulia proudly welcomes
After stages in San Marino, Spittal an der Drau (Austria) and Tolmezzo, the flame, the iconic symbol of peace and sporting values of the 16th Winter Sports, Snow and Ice edition of the EYOF2023 FVG, arrived in Udine and was welcomed in Piazza Libertà by the authorities, but also by numerous people, ski clubs, athletes, volunteers and ordinary citizens fascinated by the initiative
On Saturday 10 December, the impressive ceremony of lighting the cauldron took place in the presence of municipal and regional institutions, as well as representatives of the organising committee of the European Youth Olympic Festival 2023, the multi-sport event for young people between 14 and 18 years old.
The President of the Organising Committee, Maurizio Dunnhofer, thanked the public administrations, first and foremost the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, which is supporting the event in collaboration with the Ministry of Sport of the Italian Government. A big thank you to all the mayors and municipalities involved, who have shown their willingness and enthusiasm to work with us to provide the best conditions for the numerous guests and athletes, thus guaranteeing the success of the event. The EYOF2023 will see the participation of 2,300 participants, including 1,300 athletes, from 47 European nations representing all National Olympic Committees, and there are 109 sports competitions on the programme.
Udine is ready to welcome the Italian and international guests, said the Councillor for Major Events, Maurizio Franz, recalling the attention that the City Council pays to sports initiatives for young people. Young people need to do sport because it is good for them and helps them to socialise. The European Youth Olympic Festival 2023 is an excellent opportunity to promote healthy values and friendship while strengthening cooperation with the municipality of Martignacco.
The Mayor of Martignacco, Gianluca Casali, echoed Franz’s words and expressed his great satisfaction that the fair has been chosen as the venue for the men’s hockey tournament, which will feature six of the best national teams from the European continent. The matches will be played in Hall 6, where ad hoc facilities will be set up. I am sure, said the first citizen, that the organisational efforts will be rewarded by the response of the public and the people. In Friuli we are used to being a ‘team’ and this is another opportunity to prove it. In this context, I must thank the EYOF2023 organisation, which has decided to include our region in this great multisport event dedicated to youth.
The European Youth Olympic Games, recalled the President of the Regional Council of Friuli Venezia Giulia, Piero Mauro Zanin, have always represented a bridge between different nations, a healthy competition based on the same values of commitment and passion. This is also the spirit of the EYOF2023 and it therefore fills us with pride that our region can host an event of this level.
For the Regional Councillor for Tourism, Sergio Emidio Bini, the Olympic torch is a symbol of peace that Friuli Venezia Giulia proudly welcomes. We are sure that this winter sports event will be an important showcase for our region and also for the future of many young athletes, whom we will welcome in the best possible way. We will see you in Trieste on 21 January for the opening ceremony and then here in Udine to celebrate the end of the Games with the closing ceremony planned for 28 January.
The stage of the torch’s journey in Udine ended on board the lorry ‘Io Sono Friuli Venezia Giulia‘, accompanied by the mascot KUGY, with the lighting of the cauldron, which was also attended by Udine’s Councillor for Sport, Antonio Falcone.