The Spanish boys’ team triumphed in the basketball competition, claiming the gold medal after a closely contested match against Italy that ended with a final score of 84-80. Their teamwork and tenacity were key to overcoming the strong Italian side, making their victory a memorable highlight of the tournament.
Zornitza Kalenska from Bulgaria showcased her extraordinary talent in rhythmic gymnastics, emerging as a triple medallist. She won gold medals in the hoop, ribbon, and ball events, demonstrating her exceptional skill and versatility in the sport.
Jerome Schembri from France dominated the pool, claiming gold in both the 400m freestyle and 100m freestyle events. He also secured gold with the French team in the boys’ 4x100m relay and added a silver medal in the 4x100m medley relay, where he swam the freestyle leg, solidifying his status as a standout swimmer in the competition.
The 1991 European Youth Olympic Days, held in Brussels, Belgium, marked the beginning of what would later be known as the European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF), a prestigious biennial sports event. This inaugural edition, held from July 18 to July 20, featured 70 events across ten sports and attracted over 2840 young athletes from 33 NOCs. Two years later, the winter editions were introduced, further expanding the scope of the competition. Originally called the “European Youth Olympic Days,” the event continued under this name until the Murcia 2001 edition, when it was rebranded as the European Youth Olympic Festival. The 1991 event laid the foundation for the EYOF, fostering the development of youth sports and promoting European unity through athletic competition.