The prospect of having the European Games on the international sporting calendar is gathering momentum after European Olympic Committee president Patrick Hickey yesterday confirmed there was a strong backing to the proposal from delegates at a seminar held in Malta in midweek.
Speaking at the end of a three-day meeting at the Grand Hotel Excelsior, Hickey said that there was a lot of enthusiasm among those present to turn this proposal into effect and more discussions will be held in next month's meeting in Rome.
"The idea of having a European Games was first put forward around 15 years ago but for one reason or another it has never been realised," Hickey said.
"However, things look different this time. We've set up a committee to study whether such games were feasible and first results look very encouraging.
"Obviously, there are still a lot of aspects to be considered and we think we need at least another year before this discussion could reach a conclusion. On June 30 we will be meeting in Rome and the Games will again be on the agenda."
Hickey said there were other important issues that were discussed at the seminar and singled out the autonomy of National Olympic Committees as an increasing problem in past months.
"The governance and autonomy of National Olympic Committees has become a major subject due to the number of NOCs that are suffering intrusion from their respective governments," Hickey said.
"There has been a very productive dialogue on the subject this week as we want the autonomy of National Olympic Committees to be respected by all governments around the world so that sport can continue to grow."
The EOC president thanked the Maltese Olympic Committee for the hospitality and organisation of the seminar.
"I only have words of praise for the excellent organisation from the Maltese Olympic Committee," Hickey said.
"This is the 10th time that I am visiting this country and I am always amazed by the warm welcome I receive each time I'm here. All delegates have been impressed by the excellent organisation... the Maltese Olympic Committee deserves a gold medal for its efforts this week."
Volos 2013
Another important meeting at the Grand Hotel Excelsior these past few days was held by the Executive Committee Meeting of the Mediterranean Games. They convened to decide whether Greek city Volos could retain the right to host the 2013 Med. Games.
"Everyone is aware of the great problems Volos have been facing in recent weeks," Raffaele Pagnozzi, a Mediterranean Games Executive Committee member, said.
"It has been decided that the top members of the Executive Committee will travel to Athens in the coming weeks to talk with the Greek Sport Ministry and see what guarantees they can give us to host the 2013 Games.
"We feel that we can only take a definite decision on Volos after we meet the Greek officials. We hope this matter will be solved soon."