EYOF GYŐR 2017
Newsletter I.
MARCH 2017
www.gyor2017.com
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Sports Fans,
This summer, young talents from 50 countries will compete
in ten different sports. Besides the traditional EYOF sports
(swimming, cycling, artistic gymnastics, athletics, judo,
There are only a few months left until the Opening Ceremony
tennis, handball, volleyball, and basketball), kayak-canoe
of the European Youth Olympic Festival 2017 in Győr. It might
competitions will be organised as well, for the first time in
seem far now, but we all know 23 July 2017 will be here in
EYOF history. This water sport is one of Hungary’s best
the blink of an eye, and we can kick the Festival off with a
Olympic sports.
wonderful week filled with sports. We have been preparing
with great dedication and enthusiasm for years now and
Our goal for July is to realise an event which is not only a sports
our aim is to host an unforgettable event, as our city is the
competition but a real youth festival that includes lifelong
first one to ever organise an Olympic multi-sport event in
experiences for the athletes, inspiring them to improve and
Hungary.
strive for the best in their sport careers.
Our small country is a true Olympic Nation and we aim to show
Hungary is a country with a great reputation for
this to the world not only with great Olympic participation,
hospitality and Győr is a magical city. Everything is set
but also by organising an Olympic event. The Organising
for a great EYOF. We continue our preparations and hope
Committee is doing their best to make Győr an excellent
to see you here!
host for the European Youth Olympic Festival. We strive to
create unforgettable memories for all participants. Győr is a
Zsolt Borkai
charming place where sport and culture join with beauty both
Mayor of the City of Győr
natural and man-made to create a unique experience.
President of the Hungarian Olympic Committee
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The host city of the EYOF 2017: Győr
The city of Győr comprises an area of 174.62 km2 and its
coordinates are 48° 41’ N, 17° 38’ E.
The climate of the city is continental with an average
yearly temperature of 10.3 °C and a sunny July average
temperature of 21 °C. Total yearly rainfall is 550 mm.
The contour of the city is flat as only a small area has an
elevation change of 30 m. The city stands at 123 m above
sea level.
Győr, the City of Encounters
international railway and the M1 motorway, this area,
known as the golden triangle (between Vienna, Budapest
and Bratislava) has become one of the largest industrial and
Converging rivers, intersecting roads, Hungarian hospitality,
economic centres.
the impulse of youth, and the excitement of a city deeply
rooted in history: this is Győr, the city of encounters!
The most important factor in the promotion of the city’s
Győr is Hungary’s sixth largest city and home to nearly
development is its location on the bank of the Danube. Along
130,000 people. Owing to its location, industry and highly
the right bank of the river important transport routes were
skilled workforce, Győr is the country’s most dynamically
established leading from the central part of the Carpathian
developing and innovative city. In close proximity to the
Basin westwards. This territory was important as early
Pér airport, the international river port of Gönyű, the
as Roman times, as it was the link between Aquincum
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(Buda) and Vindobona (Vienna). It is for this reason that
Győr ranks among Hungary’s most important cities with
respect to ancient history, and it is one of the settlements
which has had a leading role in the history of Hungary
since its establishment. In the Roman era a civil town was
also built near the castrum (castle), which defended the
province. About 1000 years ago, at the time of the birth of
the Hungarian State it became a bishopric and a prefectural
centre. During the time of Turkish rule it was a fortress that
defended Vienna, and then in the 17th and 18th centuries,
through the reconstruction of the inner medieval part, it
became one of Hungary’s most beautiful Baroque towns. At
the end of the 19th century it developed into an industrial
centre, which is a role it still plays today. Today Győr’s
appeal is not only its dynamic industrial development, but
also its cultural life, outstanding sporting events, thermal
baths, sacred and secular monuments, and the attractive
downtown streets and terraces, which are the mosaic that
makes this European city complete and gives it its pulse.
Owing to the confluence of four rivers, Győr is the ‘City of
Rivers’, whose waters lend a unique atmosphere to the city
through their gentle embrace. The picturesque MosonDanube, Rabca, Marcal and Raba - which once lent its
name to the city - make a romantic walk irresistible. The
ancient city walls, wonderful green spaces, old restaurants
cropping up under the shade of old trees or Rado Island,
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which is considered the island of lovers, can all be admired
from the vantage point of a raft. Meriting its ranking as
Hungary’s third richest city in monuments, the Baroque
inner city is ornamented by palaces that conjure up times
past, representative corner balconies and statues.
Győr’s cultural life is enriched by companies such as
the internationally-renowned Győr Ballet Company, the
Philharmonic Orchestra with world-famous conductors,
composers, and musicians, the amusing Puppet Theatre,
or the audience-favourite National Theatre of Győr. The
Museum awaits visitors with unique exhibitions, while the
Mobilis Interactive Exhibition Centre provides exceptional
belongs to the continent’s elite. Furthermore, the women’s
educational experiences. Also in the offering are the famous
basketball team has earned significant successes in the
Xantus János Zoo of Győr and the tropical animals of the
last couple of years as well. True to its name as the ‘City
Füles Bástya zoo annex in the city centre.
of Rivers,’ Győr is among the most successful at training
Olympic athletes in the kayak-canoe department. Győr
Győr exceeds at sports and boasts a long list of excellent
is the host city of a number of national, European and
athletes. Győri AUDI ETO KC is one of the world’s best
World Championships year after year, including handball,
handball teams while the Győri ETO Futsal team also
basketball, kayak-canoe, and various combat sports.
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Hugoo Rooster, the Mascot of
EYOF Győr 2017
The mascot figure of the European Youth Olympic Festival
2017 hatched at the Travel Exhibition in 2014. Zsolt Borkai,
the mayor of Győr and Olympic swimmer Zsuzsanna
Jakabos, who achieved her first significant international
result at an earlier edition of EYOF, were both present at the
unveiling of the Rooster, Hugoo.
Hugoo has come a long way in this past couple of
years, and has made friends with the local youth and
elderly while taking part in various sporting, leisure, and
We can meet Hugoo in many places while walking around
cultural events.
the city of Győr, but you can be sure to find him in front
of the City Hall at all times. The Organising Committee
Although Hugoo was a bit overweight when he hatched, he
raised a Hugoo statue which holds a countdown clock.
has spent his whole life trying new sports and has succeeded
The countdown started on 18 June 2016, which marked
in participating in all ten EYOF sports. He is now a model
“400 days to go until the EYOF Győr 2017”. Hugo has been
of strength, athleticism and bravery as he encourages his
eagerly training ever since, so he can welcome the young
human friends to engage in sporting activities.
athletes on 23 July 2017.
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More than 2000 volunteer
applications
were submitted through the gyor2017.com website by
23 October, which leads us to believe that we will have
the necessary number of volunteers by the end of the
“For the successful organisation of the EYOF next
year.” He was right, as by the time registration closed at
summer we need 1500 to 2000 volunteers to help at
the end of December, over 2400 applications had been
the event,” said Dávid Fekete, deputy mayor of Győr
received. The selection process of volunteers working
and director of Volunteer Management at the meeting
at the Festival is currently ongoing via face-to-face and
of the EYOF Coordination Commission last October. He
Skype interviews which will be followed by general and
added that the mayor of Győr, Zsolt Borkai, launched the
area-specific trainings.
countdown clock at the City Hall 400 days before the
event and announced the start of volunteer applications
The Organising Committee has put great emphasis on
on 18 June 2016. “One thousand sixty-seven applications
volunteer recruitment. An EYOF course was offered
at Széchenyi István University for 160 students last
semester, while several high schools joined the interactive
EYOF class programme in which more than 100 EYOF
themed classes were held.
Of course, most applicants are from Győr, its region, or from
other parts of Hungary, but registration was open to foreign
volunteers as well, comprising 10% of the total number of
applicants. All age groups are represented among the
registered, with an 84-year-old woman from Győr being
the eldest.
The Volunteer Coordinator of the Organising Committee,
Rudolf Pásztor, has volunteer experience from the
2016 Rio Olympics and other international sporting
events, such as the EYOF Tbilisi 2015. He was one of
the lecturers at the EYOF university course where his
aim was to share his experiences with the students and
encourage them to take part in the event. He said that
the students learned about the history of the EYOF, its
sports, and received some insights about how such an
event is being organised.
Zsófia Badar was one of the students enrolled at the
course and she explained why she has signed up: “I am a
horseback rider and used to fence, so I am really interested
in the world of sports and Olympism and, of course, the
organisation side of all these.” She added that she would
be happy to volunteer at the Festival and is looking forward
to the event next summer.
The first lecture was also attended by our mascot, Hugoo.
Although he already knows a lot about the EYOF, he still
joined the students and listened to the lecturers.
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Only a few month left until Europe
arrives to Győr
and tourist destinations. After the country tour the Torch
Not much more than 100 days are left until the Opening
Mr Borkai also talked about the Opening Ceremony which
Ceremony of the EYOF Győr 2017. While the construction
will be held in Eto Park Stadium on 23 July, promising a
of new facilities is slowly coming to an end, the planning
spectacular and exciting show. EYOF will not only consist of
and organization are constantly developing, the
great sporting events but also cultural happenings, such as
volunteers are being selected and trained, the Chefs
the side events at Dunakapu square. The products and values
de Mission of the 50 participating nations are going to
of Hungarian culture and tradition will be presented to the
visit Győr for the Chefs de Mission Seminar at the end
audience including the appearance of local dance groups and
of April. In May, the European Olympic Torch will arrive
musicians, as well as the introduction of Hungarian cities
to Hungary and it will lit the flame during the Opening
which were visited by the European Olympic Torch.
will arrive back to Győr and visit the villages of the region.
Ceremony on 23 July.
The Sport Department of the Organising Committee is
Zsolt Borkai announced the good news that all 50 EOC
closely cooperating with the 10 National Federations of the
member NOCs confirmed their participation at the EYOF
EYOF sports. Test events are planned before the Festival
Győr 2017. At the Chefs de Mission Seminar between
in each sport in order to get ready for the ‘real event’. The
25-28 April 2017 representatives of all 50 nations
Mayor of Győr also explained about the transportation
are expected to visit the venues, including the newly
of participants which will be secured with shuttle
built Athletes’ Villages, and learn about all practical
buses among other types of transportation. Regarding
information they need to know prior to the event. For this
sponsorship
occasion, the first edition of the Chefs de Mission Manual
close to finalize all contracts. EYOF Győr 2017 receives
is due to be published including all necessary information
sponsorship from various socially responsible companies
for their stay.
who are willing to share resources and benefits in kind.
the
Organising
Committee
is
getting
Security is treated as high priority, while the catering and
It is worthwhile to keep in mind that the European
accommodation for delegates and volunteers, as well as
Olympic Torch will arrive to Hungary on 24 May 2017 from
other participants also requires high level of attention.
Rome, where the headquarters of the European Olympic
Committees are seated. After the Lightning Ceremony
‘Young athletes from 50 countries are going to compete
on 23 May, the Torch will arrive to Pér Airport which will
in Győr. Whole Europe will be watching us, therefore it is
be followed by the Torch Relay around the country. The
essential to prepare the best we can. The aim is for our
symbol of Olympism will tour around Hungary and Győr for
visitors to spread the good reputation of our town.’- closed
2 months, visiting major cities, important historic sights,
the press conference Zsolt Borkai.
EYOF GYŐR 2017
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3
10
General Map of the
EYOF Győr 2017
13
7
12
9
16
6
17
8
14
11
1
2
15
5
CITY
CENTRE
4
SPORT
COMPETITION VENUE
NUMBER
Swimming
Aqua Sports Centre
1
Athletics, Tennis, Judo, Artistic Gymnastics
Olympic Sport Park
2
Cycling
Time Trial Start and Finish: Road Nr. 813, section between National Road Nr. 1 and Tatai Road
3
Cycling
Road Race Start and Finish: City Hall square
4
Basketball boys
Bercsényi School
5
Basketball girls
University Basketball Hall
6
Handball
Audi Arena Győr
7
Volleyball
University Sport Hall
8
Kayak-canoe
Kayak-Canoe Arena
9
SPORT
TRAINING VENUE
NUMBER
Swimming
Aqua Sports Centre
1
Athletics, Tennis, Judo, Artistic Gymnastics
Olympic Sport Park
2
Athletics throwing events
University Track Stadium
10
Cycling
Time Trial Training: Road Nr. 813, section between National Road Nr. 1 and Tatai Road
4
Cycling
Road Race Training: City Hall square
3
Basketball
University Basketball Hall, Bercsényi School, Apáczai School
6, 5, 11
Handball
Audi Arena Győr, Magvassy Hall
7, 12
Volleyball
University Sport Hall, Audi School
8, 13
Kayak-canoe
Kayak-Canoe Arena
9
OTHER
VENUE
Athletes' Village I.
NUMBER
14
Athletes' Village II.
15
Opening Ceremony
ETO Stadium
16
Closing Ceremony
Aranypart II.
17
Fun Zone
Aranypart II.
17
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Introduction of sport venues
AQUA SPORTS CENTRE
AUDI ARENA GYŐR
The first 50-meter competition pool of the city was finished
by the end of 2014 and has hosted various prestigious
events since then. Among others the National Swimming
Championships was organised here with the participation
of world-famous swimming stars László Cseh, Dániel
Gyurta, and Zsuzsanna Jakabos.
The multifunctional sports hall is the home of the wellknown Győri Audi ETO KC women’s handball team. The
Hungarian state subsidized the building of the facility with
more than 15 million Euros, and it was officially opened by
Viktor Orbán, prime minister of Hungary and Zsolt Borkai,
mayor of Győr and president of the Hungarian Olympic
Committee. The hall was built in a way that it integrates
the already existing Magvassy Mihály Sport Hall. This latter
was also renovated parallel to the construction of the new
Next to the 50-meter competition pool there is a warm-up
Arena, which provides seating for 5500 people. The stands
pool and a 33-meter outdoor pool. The pools were built with
can be adjusted to the needs of the event hosted there,
the latest water treatment technologies, ozone-, and UV
as they include fixed seats, and mobile seats which can
technologies; thus the use of disinfection agents is minimal.
be pushed in and out. The field of play can be segmented
into three sections, thus together with the Magvassy Hall,
The pool is the home of the Győr Swimming Club, which
four separate events can be held at the same time. Besides
is the base for training and youth development, while the
sporting events, other kinds of programmes, such as
Sports Centre also serves the community by providing a site
concerts, plays, and exhibitions, can be organised here.
for recreational sports.
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OLYMPIC SPORT PARK
time there are two sports halls at the campus which will
serve as competition venues for basketball and volleyball.
The University Sports Hall will host both boys’ and girls’
volleyball tournaments, while the basketball matches
for the girls will be held at the University Sports Hall II.
The boys’ matches will take place in the sports hall of
Bercsényi Miklós Secondary School. The Mobilis Interactive
Exhibitions Centre will serve as the Volunteer Centre which
is also near the Campus, similarly to the Fun Zone which
will be available for all accredited participants to relax, play
some games, create friendships and have fun.
A new multi-functional sports centre is under construction
in close proximity to the Aqua Sports Centre. This venue
Preliminary Schedule of EYOF Győr
2017
includes an athletics centre with an 8-lane running track
and running corridor, nine tennis courts, a gymnastics hall, a
hall for combat sports, and a multi-purpose hall. The venue
is built up on 8 acres consisting of 24.000 built in m2s. This
Sports Centre will be the main sports venue of the summer
Date
Day
Action
21 July 2017
Friday
Arrival of Chefs de Mission
or Proxies
22 July 2017
Saturday
Arrival of NOCs’ delegations
23 July 2017
Sunday
Arrival of NOCs’ delegations
Trainings
Opening Ceremony
24 July 2017
Monday
Trainings
Competition Day 1.
25 July 2017
Tuesday
Trainings
Competition Day 2.
26 July 2017
Wednesday
Trainings
Competition Day 3.
27 July 2017
Thursday
Trainings
Competition Day 4.
28 July 2017
Friday
Trainings
Competition Day 5.
29 July 2017
Saturday
Trainings
Competition Day 6.
Closing Ceremony
30 July 2017
Sunday
Departure of NOCs’ delegations
EYOF 2017 as competitions for four out of ten sports will
be held here; athletics, tennis, artistic gymnastics, and judo.
This sports venue is situated close to both Athletes’ Villages
and its structure will allow participants to get a real feel of
the Olympic atmosphere.
EYOF VENUES AT THE UNIVERSITY
CAMPUS
The other main venue of the EYOF Győr 2017 will be the
University Campus, where the renovated and newly built
dormitories will serve as Athletes’ Village I, while the
university buildings will be used as the Headquarters of
the Organising Committee during the event. At the same
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