Skopje, 23 July 2025 (MIA) - Good organization, excellent performances and a positive vibe at the European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF), an event that puts the country in the spotlight of European sport this week.

Sports Minister Borko Ristovski expressed his satisfaction from the event and its significance for the country.

"It does not often happen that over 4,000 athletes compete in our country on a daily basis. I am happy that Macedonian athletes have the opportunity to compete and this is an enormous chance for all," said Ristovski.

European Olympic Committees (EOC) President Spyros Capralos said the EYOF events are livestreamed across Europe.

"We had over 100,000 views of yesterday's athletics competition. These are big numbers and one can realize the importance of this event for Europe," said Capralos.

Macedonian Olympic Committee President Daniel Dimevski stressed the event's importance for the country and for sport in general.

"We are building a network and we are representing our country in the best possible way, but we also have a mission to link up our young generations with Europe," said Dimevski.

Liney Rut Halldórsdóttir, Chair of EOC's EYOF Commission, referred to the challenge of organizing the event.

"We all worked hard over the past couple of years. Organizing such an event is no easy task but it is a challenge. This is the biggest EYOF on record, and a path for young athletes to bigger and brighter dreams," said Halldórsdóttir.

Macedonian volleyball player Matea Popovska voiced her satisfaction from the festival's organization.

"The conditions are ideal, the atmosphere is great, propelling athletes to give their best," said Popovska.

Estonia's Allika Inkeri Moser, who has set a new under-18 Girls' Pole Vault world record, said she was pleased to achieve the feat at EYOF.

EYOF Skopje 2025 features competitions in 15 sports: athletics, swimming, basketball, 3x3 basketball, handball, volleyball, judo, artistic gymnastics, road cycling, mountain biking, canoe slalom, badminton, shooting, table tennis, and taekwondo. 

The competitions are held at international-standard sports venues in Skopje and Kumanovo, while the artistic gymnastics events is taking place in Osijek, Croatia.

More than 4,000 young athletes, coaches, officials and team representatives are taking part at EYOF Skopje 2025, along with hundreds of journalists, volunteers, and guests.

Photo: MIA