Marilia Gregoriou from Cyprus made history by winning a gold medal in the girls’ 100m hurdles. Representing her smaller nation, Gregoriou delivered an incredible performance, finishing the race with a remarkable time of 13.51 seconds and showcasing her immense talent on the international stage.
Koen De Smedt from Belgium clinched the gold medal in the sailing discipline, specifically in the boys’ yachting competition. His exceptional skills and tactical acumen on the water led him to victory, marking a significant achievement for Belgian sailing.
Joze Vrtacic from Slovenia demonstrated incredible versatility by not only claiming the bronze medal in the boys’ long jump competition but also contributing to his team’s success in the boys’ 4x100m relay. As part of the relay team, he helped secure a silver medal, highlighting his diverse athletic abilities and teamwork.
The fourth edition of the EYOF took place in Lisbon, Portugal, from 18–24 July 1997. As one of Southern Europe’s major cities, Lisbon offered a vibrant and historic setting for the event, attracting young athletes from 47 European countries. The sports contested ranged from traditional Olympic disciplines like athletics and swimming to volleyball and judo, as well as the novel discipline of yachting. Lisbon 1997 was particularly notable for the city’s strong organisation, and it helped raise the international profile of Portugal as a host of sporting events. The event emphasised fostering Olympic values of respect, friendship, and excellence, while also serving as an important cultural exchange opportunity for participants.