14th European Youth Olympic Festival closed

(Patria) - The 14th European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF), hosted by Sarajevo and East Sarajevo, was officially closed tonight in East Sarajevo. The ceremony also included the handover of the flag between this year's host and the organizer of the next EYOF, which will be held in the Finnish city of Vuokatti.

Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Milorad Dodik thanked the organizers and participants of the EYOF. He said that "it was high time to send a picture from these areas in this way, completely different from the ones that have been going on for years."

"Together, we have all created a frame for the picture we are sending to the whole world," Dodik said. Members of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Šefik Džaferović and Željko Komšić also attended the closing ceremony.

Mayor of East Sarajevo Nenad Vuković stated that the flame of peace "that we recently brought from Rome was needed and necessary for us, and I hope we will cherish the values of Olympism forever."

"Although we are closing the EYOF today, we have proven that we are ready to open new doors for our common, better future," said the Mayor of Sarajevo Abdulah Skaka.

Young athletes from Norway finished the EYOF with six gold, one silver, and five bronze medals. Second was Switzerland with five gold and silver, and two bronze medals. France was in third place with four gold, three silver, and four bronze medals.

The opening ceremony of the 14th EYOF at the Koševo stadium, which lasted from February 10 to 15, was watched by 25,000 spectators. 1,400 athletes, coaches, and delegation members from 46 countries participated in the Games.

Competitions were held in eight sports: alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, biathlon, ice hockey, speed skating, figure skating, snowboard, and curling.

Competitions took place on the mountains Jahorina, Igman, and Bjelašnica, as well as in the Juan Antonio Samaranch, Skenderija halls, and in Pale.