Athletes from across the continent count down the days until the start of the European Games

With less than a month to go until the start of the Krakow-Malopolska 2023 European Games, the national teams are slowly clarifying and the athletes are sharpening their teeth for competition at the highest level.

“Through the European Games I want to qualify for the Olympic Games. It’s my childhood dream and I’m one step away from making it come true,” says Amy Broadhurst, a boxer from Ireland, who is preparing for the tournament that will be held in Nowy Targ during the European Games.

Paddlers from across Europe are also counting down the days to the start of the event. Poland will be represented, among others, by former tennis great Jerzy Janowicz, but the Swedes are also hoping for success in this discipline.

‘Participation in the European Games is an important international step for paddle as a sport, because in the long run it can give us a place at the Olympic Games,’ says Calle Akesson, head of the Swedish Paddle Federation.

The athletes and activists who are passionate about karate on a daily basis also have high hopes for the European Games.

‘As a karate family, we feel proud that we will once again be part of the most important multidisciplinary competition on the continent,’ stresses Antonio Espinos, president of the European Karate Federation.

The ski jumping community does not have to worry about a place at the Olympic Games, as they also plan to take the European Games very seriously. An example? The Swiss team for the competitions in Zakopane, which will feature the country’s two best athletes in the World Cup rankings, Gregor Deschwanden and Dominik Peter.

The same goes for the 3×3 basketball competition, where there also promises to be an outstanding line-up. “The best teams on our continent will compete at the European Games,” reads the International Basketball Federation website.

In the coming days, we will be learning more about the athletes who will come to compete in the European Games, and the full teams should be announced in early June.

The 2012 European Games Krakow – Małopolska will take place from 21 June to 2 July. Some 7 000 athletes from 48 countries will compete in 29 disciplines. – I am already looking forward to the start, which is so close,” emphasises Amy Broadhurst.

Tickets for the individual events of the European Games can be purchased HERE.