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This is a symbolic but very important event. The Flame of Peace arrived in Krakow to announce that the 2023 Kraków-Małopolska European Games will begin in two months’ time, and the ceremony coincided with another important news. The LOTTO brand, owned by Totalizator Sportowy, has joined the Games team as the Main Partner.

The European Games will begin in Krakow on June 21 and will be the biggest sports event on the Old Continent this year.

From Rome to Krakow

An important event took place on Friday. The Flame of Peace, which was solemnly lit in Rome on April 3, arrived in Krakow. It was brought to Poland by Polish President Andrzej Duda, and on Friday it was brought to Krakow by Marcin Nowak, President of the European Games Organising Committee. This unique consignment arrived in Krakow by a plane of LOT Polish Airlines, the Official Carrier of the European Games.

“I am very proud to have been able to bring the Flame of Peace to Krakow. The presence of this flame in our city is the best proof that the opening ceremony of the Games is getting closer. A relay will be organised in the coming days, as part of which the Flame of Peace will wander through Malopolska,” Nowak said on Friday.

The flame was welcomed on the tarmac by Krakow Airport CEO Radoslaw Wloszek. “The Flame of the Games, which flew via PLL LOT airlines to Krakow Airport and is burning in Krakow from now on, is a symbol of peace and mutual respect, as well as beautiful sports rivalry,” said Wloszek. “We are pleased that athletes and fans from many countries will come to Krakow and Malopolska through Krakow Airport. This is an excellent opportunity to widely promote our region as the host of this event, but also Poland on the international arena,” added the president of Kraków Airport.

The Flame of Peace was then placed in the hands of the Marshal of the Małopolska Region, Witold Kozłowski.

“I believe that this living symbol of Olympic values, which reached Małopolska today, will unite us under the main guiding slogan of the European Games, “We are unity.” I hope that for each participant of the Games this will be the most important message, which will remain in the memory for a long time after staying in the hospitable Małopolska region,” said Witold Kozłowski, Marshal of the Małopolska Region.

The event had a festive character. The plane was welcomed with a water salute, and at noon the firefighter of the State Fire Service played the St. Mary’s Bugle. In addition, the ceremony was attended by, among others: Vice President of the Organising Committee of the Games, Janusz Kozioł; President of Małopolska Railways, Tomasz Warchoł; and Councillors of the Małopolska Region: Rafał Kosowski, Stanisław Bisztyga, Grzegorz Biedroń, Andrzej Wójcik and Robert Bylica.

After the ceremony, the Flame of Peace continued its journey, this time under the care of Witold Kozlowski. The Marshal took the symbol of the Games towards the city centre on a train of Małopolska Railways.

LOTTO as a partner of the European Games

At the same time as the Flame of Peace, another great information arrived in Krakow. The Organising Committee of the Games has just gained another support. The LOTTO brand, owned by Totalizator Sportowy, has become the Main Partner of the Krakow-Malopolska 2023 European Games.

LOTTO logos will be visible at all sports venues hosting the Games. They will also appear on tickets, accreditations, and will also be prominently displayed on the Games’ social media and athlete villages. The LOTTO brand will also be present in the Fan Zones, and the cooperation includes special attractions for fans.

“Totalizator Sportowy has been a member of the Olympic Family for nearly 30 years, so we are happy that the Flame of Peace will be lit right here in Poland,” said Magdalena Kopka-Wojciechowska, member of Totalizator Sportowy’s Management Board.

Totalizator Sportowy is one of the biggest patrons of Polish sports. Among the brand’s ambassadors are: Robert Lewandowski, the world’s best football player; Dawid Tomala, Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion in the 50 km sport walk, or Marta Wieliczko and Katarzyna Zillmann, Tokyo 2020 Olympic vice-champions in rowing. In March, Aleksandra Miroslaw joined the ranks of Totalizator Sportowy’s ambassadors. Among other things, Totalizator Sportowy is also the Title Partner of 3×3 basketball in Poland.

The Opening Ceremony of the European Games is scheduled for June 21, and the programme includes 29 sports. Nineteen sports will have Olympic qualification status, while thirteen have been given the rank of European championships. More than 7,000 athletes from 48 countries will take part in the event. The main city of the Games will be Krakow, but the struggles will be held in a total of 13 cities.

Tickets for the competition at the European Games can be purchased HERE.