The European Games 2023 will centre around the historic Polish city of Krakow with events also taking place across the wider regions of Malopolska and Silesia between June 21 and July 2.

There will be a total of 28 disciplines, including 18 Olympic and seven non-Olympic sports.

The eighteen Olympic sports will provide qualification opportunities for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, adding even more significance to the event for many of the competing athletes from 48 different countries.

Krakow-Malopolska was awarded the 2023 Games at the European Olympic Committees (EOC) General Assembly in Minsk in 2019 where it was elected unanimously.

The host city contract for the event was signed in the Polish capital Warsaw in May 2022 and the Games will be the biggest multi-sport event in Europe in 2023.

At the signing, EOC President Spyros Capralos said: "We are thrilled to reach this important milestone and set the blueprint for the future of Europe's premier multi-sport event.

"As with all major events there are challenges, but working with our partners in Poland makes this journey easier and all the more worthwhile.

"Poland is a natural fit to host this event due to the country's incredible sporting history, but also because the people are an embodiment of the values the EOC and the European Games seek to promote."

During a flag handover ceremony in Ancient Olympia in Greece in September 2022, Capralos presented the EOC flag to Polish officials as the hosts were ushered in under the new Games slogan of "We Are Unity".

President of the Polish Olympic Committee and EOC Executive Committee (ExCo) member Andrzej Krasnicki said: "Today is a historic moment for the Polish Olympic community and the European Olympic family, as we prepare to come together for what we hope will be a memorable European Games.

"It is an honour to have this ceremony take place at the birthplace of the Olympic Movement.

"I am confident that the Games will emphasise the true meaning of the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect, and that our athletes will enjoy their experience in Poland."

Hasan Arat, chair of the European Games Coordination Commission and an EOC ExCo member, added: "The European Games 2023 will feature more Olympic qualification events than previous editions and will act as a springboard to the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

"On top of this, through our partnership with the European Broadcasting Union, it will be broadcast in every household in Europe, giving us the opportunity to show European solidarity and unity through sport."

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