Polish President Andrzej Duda, left, greets EOC President Spyros Capralos before discussing hosting arrangements for this year's European Games in Krakow Malopolska ©EOC

Polish President, Andrzej Duda has met Spyros Capralos, head of the European Olympic Committees (EOC), in Warsaw to discuss preparations for this year’s European Games in Krakow-Malopolska.

The  meeting occurred with less than six months to go until the EOC’s flagship event is due to be held in Poland from June 21 until July 2.

Capralos was joined by a senior EOC delegation, including Krakow-Malopolska 2023 Coordination Commission chairman Hasan Arat, vice-president Daina Gudzinevičiūtė, secretary general Raffaele Pagnozzi and Executive Committee member and Polish Olympic Committee (PKOL) President Andrzej Kraśnicki. 

In attendance were also Marshal of the Małopolska Region Witold Kozłowski and PKOL Vice President Tomasz Poręba.

"The EOC is deeply grateful for the hospitality that will be shown to Europe’s leading athletes by our friends in Poland this coming summer," Capralos said.

"I was very happy to express this gratitude directly to President Duda.

"For two weeks, Poland will be a focal point for the hopes of people from all across Europe and we have no doubt that they will be impressed by what they experience."

Constructive discussions were held about Krakow-Malopolska 2023, the biggest multi-sport Games to be held in Europe since the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London ©EOC
Constructive discussions were held about Krakow-Malopolska 2023, the biggest multi-sport Games to be held in Europe since the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London ©EOC

Speaking after key meetings with the Local Organising Committee and Kozłowski, Arat said: “The progress that has been made by the Organising Committee and local authorities in preparing for Krakow Małopolska 2023, in only a short time, has been deeply impressive.

"For this, I would like to warmly thank the Marshal of Małopolska who is being instrumental in the lead-up to the Games.

"Maintaining this pace will be vital.

"The EOC is also very conscious of the way Poland is preparing to welcome athletes from all over Europe at a time when they have already welcomed so many of their neighbours because of the war.

"We have worked hard to ensure these are sustainable Games, using an existing footprint of facilities and leaving a legacy of renovated facilities for the local communities."

Polish President Andrzej Duda, centre, met an EOC delegation in Warsaw to discus hosting arrangements for this year's European Games in Krakow Malopolska ©EOC
Polish President Andrzej Duda, centre, met an EOC delegation in Warsaw to discus hosting arrangements for this year's European Games in Krakow Malopolska ©EOC

During the visit the EOC delegation also met with the Polish Minister of Sport and Tourism, Kamil Botniczuk, who emphasised the significance of hosting Europe’s biggest multi-sport event in the country.

Kraków-Małopolska 2023 will be the biggest multi-sport event in Europe since the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London.

Around 7,000 athletes are due to compete in 25 sports. 18 of which are Olympic and offer qualification opportunities for Paris 2024.