Archery, boccia, goalball, judo, swimming, taekwondo and table tennis have been revealed as the first sports that will feature at the 2025 European Para Youth Games taking place in Istanbul, Türkiye, from 21-28 July.
The details – including the dates - were announced by the European Paralympic Committee and Istanbul 2025 organisers, the Türkiye National Paralympic Committee, during the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
The Istanbul 2025 European Para Youth Games, building on the impact of the Paralympics, is expected to attract 1,500 athletes, coaches and officials– the biggest number yet. The European Paralympic Committee is also targeting the participation of a record 35 countries as it looks to widen the impact of the event across the region, and the largest number of sports.
European Paralympic Committee President, Raymon Blondel, said: “We are so excited to announce the first sports for Istanbul 2025, with more to be added soon, and to begin to create a real buzz around the European Para Youth Games.
“Our vision for the future of the event builds on great foundations and has been shaped by our Membership, in particular National Paralympic Committees and International and regional federations and organisations. We are naturally continuing to place athletes at the centre of our ambitions, and are happy to have the involvement of the new Athletes’ Council who will help us and the organisers to deliver a multi-sport competition which works on and off the field of play.
“The European Para Youth Games are a cornerstone of our strategy to be at the forefront of the growth of Para sport in Europe and I hope all of our stakeholders see something in the event for them as we supercharge its profile and relevance.”
The Games are underpinned by a new ethos of ‘Grow | Aspire | Play’ which represents the values that the European Paralympic Committee wants to bring to life through the European Para Youth Games. Members, athletes, coaches, sports and partners will all benefit from this approach which aims to reflect the needs of athletes aged 12-23 who may be taking their first steps into a career on the international stage.
The European Paralympic Committee wants to increase the impact of the European Para Youth Games by supporting all stakeholders to develop, push and test themselves along the way.
Blondel continued “After all, Para sports has always been about what you can do, not what you cannot. We should give everyone a strong platform to grow, aspire and play and live those values to the full ourselves.”
As well as the largest ever number of participants, sports and countries, a crucial part of the European Para Youth Games in 2025 will be its ‘Discovery Programme’ which aims to offer a platform for athletes and coaches to learn under themes such as integrity, fair play and life in the public eye and for sports and partners to showcase themselves and connect with the next generation of Para athletes and coaches in Europe.
Notes to editors
The first sports and dates for Istanbul 2025 were announced on 4 September at European House held under the theme of ‘Greater Games’. Nearly 100 representatives of National Paralympic Committees, International Federations, International Organisations of Sport for the Disabled, NGOs and current or potential partners gathered at TeamNL House to speak and discuss the ambitions for the European Para Youth Games and the European Para Championships, of which the European Paralympic Committee is a patron.