Flame of Peace to be lit for Winter EYOF Bakuriani 2025

The Flame of Peace for the Winter European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) Bakuriani 2025 will be lit at a formal ceremony in Rome on Thursday December 19.

Serving as an important milestone ahead of the 17^th staging of the Winter EYOF from February 9-16 2025, representatives from the European Olympic Committees (EOC), the wider Olympic Movement in Europe and the Bakuriani 2025 Organising Committee will gather at the historic Mercati di Traiano in Rome.

Drawing on Olympic traditions, the Flame of Peace symbolises the Olympic Movement’s core values of excellence, respect and friendship, and represents the power of sport to unite.

After being lit during the ceremony in Rome, the Flame will be transported to Georgia for a relay around the Winter EYOF host country. It will then be used to light the Winter EYOF 2025 Cauldron at the Opening Ceremony in Bakuriani on February 9.

Bakuriani 2025 will be the 17^th edition of the Winter EYOF and provide a first experience of a multi-sport event for Europe’s most talented young athletes from ages 14 to 18, with eight disciplines on the sports programme.

In addition, the European Youth Olympic Ambassador programme will run for the eighth time with interactive cultural activities promising to inspire participating athletes with the Olympic values and provide them with an unforgettable experience.

EOC President Spyros Capralos looked ahead to the Flame of Peace Lighting Ceremony.

President Capralos said: “We are very excited that in just one week from now we will be in Rome for the hugely symbolic Flame of Peace Lighting Ceremony for the Winter EYOF Bakuriani 2025.

“This ceremony  is always an emotive occasion as we approach the beginning of the event. Hosting it at the iconic Mercati di Traiano adds an extraordinary touch to this special moment.

“We are proud that the EYOF continues to provide opportunities for thousands of talented young athletes from across Europe to compete at an elite multi-sport event while embracing the Olympic values. “The countdown to Bakuriani 2025 will officially begin with the Flame of Peace Lighting Ceremony, and we are confident of a spectacular Winter EYOF in February.”