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BAKURIANI 2025

Ilona Plecháčová: Biathlon’s Brightest Young Talent

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Ilona Plecháčová, born on 26 December 2006, is promptly emerging as one of the brightest talents in the world of biathlon. Representing the Czech Republic, this young athlete has already carved out an impressive career, capturing the attention of sports enthusiasts and competitors alike. At just 18 years old, Plecháčová exemplifies determination, precision, and a knack for excelling under pressure.

Growing up in the picturesque landscapes of the Czech Republic, Ilona was introduced to winter sports at an early age. Her initial foray into skiing and shooting soon blossomed into a full-fledged passion for biathlon.

2024 marked a milestone year in Plecháčová’s career. During the Winter Youth Olympic Games in Gangwon, South Korea, she made history by winning the first biathlon gold medal for the Czech Republic. Competing in the individual event, her flawless shooting and consistent skiing ensured her place at the top of the podium. This historic victory not only highlighted her talent but also underscored her potential to dominate in senior-level competitions.

Her success continued later that year at the Junior Cup held in Jakuszyce, Poland. Competing in the women’s sprint event, Plecháčová secured a commanding victory, showcasing her impeccable shooting accuracy and tactical prowess on the course. With a perfect score in shooting, she demonstrated the mental fortitude and focus required to excel in this demanding sport.

Plecháčová’s performance statistics further solidify her reputation as a formidable athlete. According to data from the International Biathlon Union (IBU), she achieved a remarkable 96% accuracy in prone shooting and 70% in standing shooting during the 2024/2025 season. Her skiing efficiency, averaging +9.6 seconds per kilometre compared to the fastest competitors, reflects her technical expertise and physical conditioning.

Beyond her athletic prowess, Ilona Plecháčová is quickly becoming a role model for young athletes in her home country and beyond. Her dedication to the sport, combined with her humility and work ethic, resonates with fans and aspiring biathletes. By breaking records and overcoming challenges, she inspires others to pursue their dreams with the same passion and commitment.

Looking Ahead

As she transitions from youth to senior competitions, Plecháčová’s future in biathlon looks exceptionally promising. With the 2025 World Championships and future Olympic Games on the horizon, she stands poised to further cement her legacy. The biathlon community eagerly awaits her next performances, anticipating more record-breaking moments from this extraordinary athlete.

Ilona Plecháčová is not just a rising star in biathlon; she is a testament to what can be achieved with talent, hard work, and unyielding determination. As she continues her journey, the world will undoubtedly be watching closely, cheering her on every step of the way.

One month to go until the Winter EYOF Bakuriani 2025 

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Today marks one month until the Opening Ceremony of the Winter European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) Bakuriani 2025, being held from 9-16 February 2025. 

Bakuriani 2025 will place Georgia firmly at the heart of winter sports as it hosts 2,000 of the most talented European athletes aged 14 to 18.  

Held across eight days, the Winter EYOF will bring together young athletes from across Europe, providing them with a first experience of a multi-sport event and the opportunity to embrace the Olympic values.  

The Opening Ceremony will be held at the Kids Ski Arena in Bakuriani on 9 February, featuring a parade of the athletes and the lighting of the Winter EYOF Bakuriani 2025 Cauldron with the Flame of Peace. 

The Flame of Peace was lit by Georgian athletes Anastasia Mirianashvili and Nikoloz Egadze, and the Bakuriani 2025 Organising Committee President Mamuka Khabareli at a spectacular ceremony in Rome last month. 

There are eight sports on the programme at Bakuriani 2025, with events taking place across three different cities in Georgia. 

Bakuriani will host biathlon, cross-country skiing, freestyle skiing, snowboarding and Alpine skiing. Ice hockey will be held at the Leader Arena in Tbilisi, while figure skating and short track speed skating will be held in Batumi.  

Georgia previously hosted a successful Summer EYOF in Tbilisi in 2015, but this year marks the first Winter edition held in the country. 

Four Hills Tournament and Two Nights Tour

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The Four Hills Tournament is a prestigious ski jumping competition held annually since 1952. It consists of four events taking place on ski jumping hills located in Germany and Austria: Oberstdorf, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Innsbruck, and Bischofshofen.

The initial idea to organise this tournament arose in the summer of 1949 at the “Maler” house in Partenkirchen, Germany. The tournament takes place during the holiday season, starting in late December and concluding in early January. Each venue hosts two days of events, with a qualifying day followed by the final. The most prominent event is the New Year’s Day ski jumping contest, held on January 1st in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, attracting a vast international audience.

Jonathan Graebert GER competing in the Nordic Combined Men’s Individual Normal Hill/6km, Ski Jumping Trial Round at the Alpensia Ski Jumping Centre. The Winter Youth Olympic Games, Gangwon, South Korea, Monday 29 January 2024. Photo: OIS/Thomas Lovelock. Handout image supplied by OIS/IOC

Throughout its history, the tournament has seen numerous champions. Finnish jumper Janne Ahonen holds the record for the most wins, with five victories. The trophy awarded to the winner is a golden eagle, weighing nearly 20 kilograms and with a wingspan of half a meter. This trophy has been awarded since 2012.

The 2024/2025 Four Hills Tournament is currently underway, with two of the four events completed. Stefan Kraft (AUT) finished first in the first event held in Oberstdorf (GER). And Daniel Tschofenig’s (AUT) victory in Garmisch-Partenkirchen propelled him to the top of the overall standings, continuing Austria’s strong performance in the tournament.

The tournament now moves to Austria for the final two events: Innsbruck on January 4 and Bischofshofen on January 6.

The Two Nights Tour is a women´s ski jumping competition held annually in Germany as a smaller counterpart to the prestigious Four Hills Tournament. Introduced in the 2023/2024 season, it consists of two consecutive night events under floodlights, creating a unique and exciting nighttime atmosphere for both competitors and spectators. While exact founding dates vary depending on recent changes, it was designed to bring a fresh perspective to ski jumping events with a focus on night-time excitement and shorter duration.

The Two Nights Tour for the 2024/2025 season concluded with Slovenian ski jumper Nika Prevc successfully defending her title by securing victories in both events.

Celebrating World Ice Skating Day 2024: Budapest Takes CenterStage

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On December 15, 2024, the global ice skating community came together to celebrate World Ice Skating Day, with Budapest, Hungary, hosting the main event. This spectacular celebration took place at the iconic City Park Ice Rink, Europe’s largest outdoor ice-skating venue, drawing over 5,000 participants and creating a vibrant, festival-like atmosphere.

Budapest: The Heart of World Ice Skating Day 2024

Budapest’s City Park Ice Rink provided a stunning backdrop for the main event, offering a unique space for skaters of all ages and abilities to join in the festivities. The rink, spanning over 12,000 square meters, was the perfect location to celebrate the joy and unity of ice skating.

A Day of Performances and Fun

The event featured dazzling performances from top skaters, including figure skating, ice dance, and speed skating demonstrations. Attendees enjoyed free ice skating lessons, interactive workshops, and family-friendly activities, making it a day to remember for everyone involved.

European Highlights

Europe, with its rich history and strong tradition in ice skating, played a significant role in this celebration. Here are some of the key events and activities that took place across the continent:

  • Vienna, Austria: The Wiener Eislauf-Verein hosted free skating lessons and exhibitions, featuring some of Austria’s top skaters.
  • Tallinn, Estonia: The Tondiraba Ice Hall was the center of festivities, with synchronized skating shows and opportunities for the public to skate alongside professional athletes.
  • Zurich, Switzerland: The Dolder Sports ice rink offered a day of family-friendly activities, including figure skating demonstrations and interactive workshops.

European Skating Stars Shine

European skaters played a significant role in the celebrations, showcasing their talents and inspiring the next generation of skaters. The event highlighted the achievements of skaters like Anna Shcherbakova from Russia, Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron from France, and Javier Fernández from Spain.

A Community United by Skating

World Ice Skating Day 2024 in Budapest was more than just a series of performances; it was a celebration of the global skating community. The event emphasized the inclusivity and joy that ice skating brings, connecting people from different backgrounds through their shared love for the sport.

Czechia and Sweden keep on the fight for the Ice Hockey World Junior Championship

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Ice Hockey World Junior Championship in Ottawa, Canada, began on 26 December with ten teams divided into two groups battling in the Preliminary Round. The top four teams from each group will advance to the Playoff Round, while the fifth-placed team in each group moves to the Relegation Round.  

During the first four days of matches at TD Place and the Canadian Tire Center, Canada, USA, Czechia and Sweden showcased why they are favourites to win the tournament this year, securing the top sports in the standings.  

Czechia´s victory against Slovakia moved the Czechs into a first-place tie with Sweden in Group B. Both teams have a perfect 3-0-0 record and will play on New Year´s Eve to determine who claims top seeding heading into the quarterfinals.  

Slovakia dropped to fourth place with three points, sitting only ahead of Kazakhstan and Switzerland, both yet to earn any points. Slovakia and Kazakhstan will meet on 30 December in a crucial match for both teams, as they strive to avoid the bottom position and the relegation game.  

Sweden defeated Switzerland 7-5, a victory that secured Swedish place at the top of Group B and guaranteed them a spot in the quarter finals.  

Canada´s win over Germany provided some relief after their earlier lost to Latvia. However, the real test for the for the Canadians will come on New Year´s Eve with the game against USA. Both teams have seven points in the standings, while Finland follows closely with five.  

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Finland edged out the USA 4-3 in the overtime, handing the Americans their first loss at the tournament. Team USA, the defending champions from 2024 (Gothenburg) are aiming to secure a medal for the third consecutive year. Meanwhile, Finland is striving to end a small drought, having not won fold since 2019 (Vancouver) or any medal since 2022.  

Quarterfinals matches will take place on 2 January, with the Finals scheduled for 5 January. 

EYOF Bakuriani 2025: The Flame of Peace is Alive

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The Mercati di Traiano served as the magnificent setting for the Flame of Peace lighting ceremony of the 17th Winter European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF). The event was hosted by Massimiliano Rosolino, an Italian Olympic swimming champion and gold medallist at the second edition of the Summer EYOF in the Netherlands in 1993.

The ceremony was officially opened by Spyros Capralos, President of the European Olympic Committees, who delivered an inspiring speech. This was followed by heartfelt words from Carlo Mornati, Secretary General of the Italian National Olympic Committee, Svetlana Celli, President of the Capitol Assembly of the City of Rome, Flavio Siniscalchi, Head of the Sports Department – Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Leri Khabelov, President of the Georgian National Olympic Committee, Mamuka Khabareli, President of the Bakuriani 2025 Organising Committee, and Shalva Gogoladze, Minister of Sport of Georgia.

To conclude the ceremony, Spyros Capralos presented an olive tree to Leri Khabelov as a symbol of peace and harmony. The olive tree, regarded as sacred by Dea Pax, the goddess of peace, has been a symbol of victory since ancient times when Olympic athletes were crowned with olive wreaths. Finally, both Presidents, accompanied by two Georgian athletes, lit the Flame of the Torch.

With the flame now lit, the journey of the Torch to Bakuriani has begun, carrying with it the spirit of the Olympic Movement. The countdown is on — with just 50 days to go until the start of EYOF Bakuriani 2025!

Athletes, get ready to shine!

The 2024-2025 IBU World Cup Season

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The 2024-2025 International Biathlon Union (IBU) World Cup season is off to an exciting start, with European athletes taking spotlight. This season promises to be a thrilling journey through some of the most iconic biathlon venues, showcasing the talent and determination of finest european biathletes.

Events Concluded So Far

The season started on November 30, 2024, in Kontiolahti, Finland. This opening event really set the tone for this season, with the athletes fighting it out in frozen Finnish landscapes. The competition then traveled to Östersund in Sweden, where European performers continued to dominate. Swedish star Elvira Öberg and German Franziska Preuss have been among the stars who have consistently finished on the podium.

(biathlonworld.com, IBU, 2024)

Upcoming Events

Le Grand-Bornand, France (December 19-22, 2024): This symbolic venue will host the final event before the Christmas break, providing a gala scenery for some intense competition.

Oberhof, Germany (January 4-7, 2025): The new year will kick off with races in Oberhof, with challenging courses and enthusiastic crowds.

Antholz-Anterselva, Italy (January 18-21, 2025): This venue is a favourite among athletes for its altitude and scenery.

Lenzerheide, Switzerland (February 12-23, 2025): The alpine city will make history as the first Swiss venue to host the IBU World Championships.

European Athletes Leading the Charge

So far this season, European athletes have led the medal tables, headed by Swedish talent Elvira Öberg in the women’s and a battle among Norwegian Sturla Holm Lægreid and Frenchmen Éric Perrot for the top three places on the men’s side, not counting Norwegian superstar Johannes Thingnes Bø.

Elvira Öberg has been the most impressive of all, showing some real shooting accuracy and skiing speed. Her consistency has made her an adversary nobody wants to face, and she is considered the top favorite for the overall title. Franziska Preuss has also been in excellent form, using her experience to negotiate the challenging courses and hold her position among the top contenders.

The rising star in the men’s competition is Éric Perrot, who has been able to climb several podiums due to his agility and precision, which have earned him a place among the key athletes.

Sturla Holm Lægreid is known for his calmness and strategic racing; he is always there to challenge for the top positions.

Recent Achievements by European Teams

European teams have also shone in the relay competitions. The frenchmen, Éric Perrot, Quentin Fillon Maillet, and Emilien Jacquelin, cruised to an open victory in the first season’s relay competition in Kontiolahti. The very good teamwork and perfect baton changes decided the day for them.

The Swedish women’s team, spearheaded by Elvira Öberg, Hanna Öberg, and Linn Persson, has also been unbeatable. They won the relay race in Östersund, showing their depth and coordination. These victories underlined the strength of European teams and their ability to perform under pressure.

These athletes and teams have shown not only extraordinary skill and endurance but have also inspired a new generation of biathletes across the continent. Their performances testify to the strength and depth of European biathlon, making this season one to watch.

More exciting races and moments might be expected in the course of the 2024-2025 IBU World Cup season. The participation of European stars promises even more interest and a very bright future for biathlon.

Léa Casta, France shining star

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With only 18 years old, the French athlete Léa Casta topped the podium in Cervino during the FIS Snowboard Cross World Cup. December 14th, 2024, will be a date to never forget for the young athlete. This is her first senior big victory but not the only one, Léa is already used to win medals and achieve goals all around the world during her career. Less than one month ago the snowboarder crossed the line in third position during the European Cup in Pitztal (Austria). And at the beginning of this season, she also topped the podium in the South American Cup celebrated in Corralco (Chile) past October.

(fis-ski.com, @Pentaphoto 2024)

But Casta’s amazing senior performance is not a touch of luck but an example of hard work and progression. Season 2023-2024 was plenty of victories. Two first position in Individual and Team events in FIS Junior World Championship Gudauri (Georgia), an event that she also won in 2023 in Passo San Pellegrino (Italy). French National champion and Gold medal in European Cup celebrated in France in January 2024. And all these victories within a year which started with a Youth Olympic Winter Games Gold Medal in Gangwon (Korea).

During this weekend in Cervino Léa Casta shared the podium with her friend Maja-Li Iafrate-Danielsson who finished third to put in the podium two French flags. There are no doubts of the great talent and future that France is bringing to the Snowboard Cross competition. And keep an eye on this young athlete that for sure is going to bring to France and Europe a lot of more podiums around the world.

(fis-ski.com, @Pentaphoto 2024)

SKOPJE SET TO HOST THE 2025 SUMMER EYOF: A SHOWCASE OF YOUNG TALENT AND TRADITION

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The European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF), a prestigious multi-sport event for young athletes aged 14 to 18, is set to take place in Skopje, North Macedonia, for its 18th Summer edition in 2025. This announcement was made during the Summer EYOF Maribor 2023, where more than 2,400 of Europe’s top young athletes came together to compete across 11 disciplines.

Directed by the European Olympic Committees (EOC), Summer and Winter EYOFs are both held biennially. The Festival serves as a gateway for young athletes to experience the spirit and values of the Olympic Games. Since its inception, many EYOF medallists have gone on to achieve Olympic glory later in their careers.

EOC President Spyros Capralos expressed his enthusiasm for Skopje hosting the Summer EYOF, recognising the dedication of local officials, including Mayor Danela Arsovska and North Macedonian NOC President Daniel Dimevski.

President Capralos remarked: “The EOC is delighted to announce Skopje as the host for the 2025 Summer EYOF. We are confident that the city will provide the young athletes of Europe with memories to last a lifetime.”

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Preparations are already underway, with high praise for the city’s sporting venues and infrastructure. Following a site visit with EOC Sports Director Peter Brüll, the EOC EYOF Commission Chair Liney Halldórsdóttir noted: “We were very impressed with the standard and range of facilities that the city has for sport. Their state-of-the-art venues will allow young athletes to perform at their best.”

North Macedonia’s natural beauty, rich culture and renowned hospitality are expected to make the 2025 Summer EYOF a standout event. With nearly 4,000 athletes expected to participate, Skopje is gearing up to offer not only a world-class sporting experience, but also a memorable cultural celebration. The Festival is also expected to boost tourism, showcasing the country’s stunning landscapes, delectable Mediterranean and Balkan cuisine, and vibrant cultural heritage.

North Macedonian NOC President Dimevski emphasised the country’s commitment to setting new benchmarks in hosting the EYOF.

“On my behalf and all stakeholders in the country, I assure you that the 2025 Summer EYOF in Skopje will set new high standards in terms of venues, number of sports, facilities, etc., in addition to wonderful food and warm hospitality. I look forward to seeing you in Skopje,” President Dimevski said.

The 2025 Summer EYOF will be a celebration of young talent, passion and hard work, offering athletes a unique opportunity to develop their careers and embody the Olympic ideals. With the support of key stakeholders and the excitement building across the country, Skopje is poised to deliver an unforgettable Festival that will inspire the next generation of European sport champions.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE FOR WINTER EYOF BAKURIANI 2025 LAUNCHED

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The official website for the Winter European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) Bakuriani 2025 has been launched, offering a comprehensive resource for fans, athletes, coaches and media. The website is now live and accessible here.

The Winter EYOF is a biennial multi-sport event organised by the European Olympic Committees (EOC) dedicated to athletes aged 14 to 18. It serves as a platform for Europe’s best young sports talents to compete and showcase their skills on an international stage. The 2025 edition will take place from February 9 to 16, marking the first time this prestigious event will be held in Bakuriani, Georgia.

Bakuriani, known for its picturesque landscapes and world-class winter sports facilities, is set to provide a stunning backdrop for the Festival as participating young athletes compete in eight sports.

The newly-launched Winter EYOF Bakuriani 2025 website will enhance the event by providing an interactive and user-friendly experience. It offers a wealth of information, including detailed event schedules, the latest news updates, venue details, participant profiles and a rich collection of multimedia
content.

Key Features of the Winter EYOF Bakuriani 2025 Website

  • News and updates: Latest news, announcements and stories from Bakuriani.
  • Venue information: Maps and details of all event locations.
  • Participant information: Profiles and information about the athletes.
  • Multimedia content: Photo galleries and videos showcasing preparation and highlights.
  • Event schedule: Detailed information on all competitions and activities (available soon).

In collaboration with Sport Europe, the website also aims to amplify the fan movement, making it a central hub where the excitement of the Bakuriani event can be followed by supporters across Europe.

The Winter EYOF Bakuriani 2025 promises to be an exciting event, celebrating the sporting achievements of Europe’s young athletes. The official website will be instrumental in connecting audiences to the spirit and excitement of the Festival. For more information, please visit the official Winter EYOF Bakuriani 2025 website here.