The countdown towards the European Games in Krakow (Poland), scheduled from 21 June to 2 July 2023, has officially begun in Rome at the Ara Pacis.

The third edition of the largest multi-sport event at a European level will see the participation of 7,000 athletes from 48 countries. 30 sporting disciplines will be involved, 11 of which will award Olympic passes for Paris 2024.

In the world’s oldest temple, a universal symbol of peace and fraternity, the Torch was formally delivered and ignited. It then began its journey towards the Malopolska region in the hands of Anita Wlodarczyk, multiple Polish Olympic hammer throwing champion.

The ceremony, presided over by the President of the European Olympic Committees Spyros Capralos, was also attended, among others, by CONI President Giovanni Malagò, Minister for Sport and Youth Affairs Andrea Abodi, and President of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Duda. Also present were Francesco Ricci Bitti, President of ASOIF, the association that brings together the International Olympic Summer Federations and Raffaele Pagnozzi, Secretary General of the European Olympic Committees.

“Being here today is a very proud honour", Malagò said in his opening speech at the ceremony. “It is magnificent to be able to present this ceremony in such an iconic place, in the heart of the city of Rome. This is the third edition of the Games. I remember very well when it all began. This event has grown steadily and represents something very important for the entire Olympic movement and the European continent", concluded the CONI President.

This was echoed by Andrea Abodi: “I am honoured to be able to represent the Italian government in such a significant event. Italy and Poland are guided by the same sentiments. Peace represents the main value to be achieved in a period of history such as the one we are living through. I hope that the symbols celebrated can be a good omen in this sense". 

“This is a fantastic place and I am very thrilled", declared Duda. “As a representative of Poland, we are ready to receive this symbol of such great significance. I am proud and excited to hold these Games in our country. Krakow, after Baku and Minsk, will be the first city of the European Union to host these Games, the second most important event in the history of our country. I hope they will be held in an atmosphere of wholehearted sportsmanship. In the coming days I will host President Volodymyr Zelensky and we will talk about the situation in Ukraine. Our country is taking in a large number of refugees fleeing from the war. These Games will be about peace and brotherhood, but we will not pretend that everything is going well. Ukraine was invaded by Russia and Belarus supported the invasion: I am grateful to President Capralos for banning both countries from participating in the event. I thank everyone for the opportunity to host these Games. I wish all the best to all 48 delegations when the Games start", stated the Polish president.

“It is always a privilege to be able to organise such a symbolic event. For a fortnight Poland will be the heart of European sport. I thank President Duda for the great support given to this event. The Games represent an event of enormous importance for the country’s history", said Capralos.

The President of the European Olympic Committees also presented Duda with the Ulivo d’Oro of the Dea Pax, made exclusively for the EOC by sculptor and goldsmith Nicola Amato and forged from the same fire used to light the Torch.