Doha, Qatar: President of Qatar Olympic Committee and First Vice President of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, attended the opening ceremony of the 2023 European Games in Krakow, Malopolska, Poland.
The President of Poland HE Andrzej Duda inaugurated the tournament in the presence of several prominent Olympic figures, including Spyros Capralos, the President of the European Olympic Committee, and a member of the International Olympic Committee.
The European Games will witness the participation of around 7,000 athletes representing 48 National Olympic Committees, competing in 26 sports over 11 days, including the first European Olympic team for refugees.
Executive Board Member of the Olympic Refuge Foundation HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani expressed his support for this initiative, which allows the refugee Olympic team to participate in continental games for the first time.
The games' program includes the addition of several new sports such as paddle, teqball, muay thai, kickboxing, beach handball, rugby sevens, and luge, in addition to 18 other Olympic sports, providing participants in 19 competitions with an opportunity to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The European Games are held in 13 cities and towns in the Malopolska region in southern Poland. Through these Games, the European Olympic Committee aims to organize a sustainable edition that does not require the construction of additional facilities.
