EYOF Maribor 2023: Olympic spirit of young athletes

In 2023, young European sportsmen and sportswomen gathered in the city of the oldest vine in the world when it hosted the European Youth Olympic Festival. Discover the venues and active experiences in Slovenia.

Maribor in the embrace of the Olympic spirit of young people

The Olympic Games are every athlete’s dream. They can experience a piece of this dream at a young age at the European Youth Olympic Festival, which, in the true spirit of the Olympic Games, has a winter and a summer edition. With more than 30 years of tradition, this is the largest multi-sport event for young athletes aged 14–18. It is primarily designed to give young athletes their first encounter with Olympism and to gain valuable experience on the road to the Olympic Games.

Many well-known top athletes, who have gone on to compete successfully at the Olympic Games, win medals at major competitions and shine bright in international leagues, have also had their first Olympic experience at these Festivals. Among them are ski jumpers Peter Prevc, Timi Zajc and Nika Križnar, swimmers Anja Klinar and Blaž Medvešek, athletics competitors Matic Osovnikar and Brigita Langerholc, handball players Vid Kavtičnik, Blaž Janc and Urh Kastelic, volleyball player Dejan Vinčič, judo competitors Adrian Gomboc and Kaja Kajzer, and many others.

eyof_logo

Show all images

Maribor hosted young sportsmen and women from 23 to 29 July 2023. During this time, more than 2,500 athletes from 48 countries competed in 11 sports, including three new to the festival: skateboarding, mountain biking and 3x3 basketball. Athletes competed in 13 sports venues. The Olympic Festival was also a success for Slovenia from a sporting point of view, with Slovenian sportswomen and sportsmen winning 9 medals. Here are some more interesting facts about the extraordinary interest in young Olympians.

More about EYOF Maribor 2023

Total number of participants

7,000

Number of medals awarded

688

Number of fans

more than 80,000

Number of media representatives

150

Number of TV spectators around the world

1 million, of which 50,000 people watched the opening ceremony

Feel the pulse of young Olympic hearts

Sports disciplines

Discover the sports in which young athletes competed in Maribor with the lively Foxy, the vulpine mascot of the Slovenian Olympic Committee.

eyof_cycling

Road Biking

eyof_athletics

Athletics

eyof_gimnastic

Sports gymnastics

eyof_judo

Judo

eyof_basketball

Basketball 3x3

eyof_volleyball

Volleyball

eyof_handball

Handball

eyof_swimming

Swimming

eyof_skatebording

Skateboarding

eyof_tenis

Tennis

eyof_MTB

Mountain Biking

One city, one heart

The slogan of Maribor, Slovenia’s second largest city, reveals the heartfelt stories hidden among the city’s streets and squares and in its surroundings. Its “First Lady” is the oldest vine in the world, serving as the centre of action and adventure. But it is far from being the only attraction of the city, which is nestled between the green forests of Pohorje and the wine-growing hills. It is time to get to know the host of this year’s European Youth Olympic Festival.

More about Maribor

one city one heart_logo

Where did the young athletes compete?

Find out which sports venues in Maribor were the testing grounds for young athletes in each sport.

Visit website

Young male and female swimmers took to the Olympic pool at the Pristan swimming pool.

The Poljane Athletics Stadium, which is part of the Tabor Sports Park, was the venue for athletics competitions.

The premiere of skateboarding at EYOF was set in the modern skatepark MB Sk8park.

Young tennis players swung rackets on the courts of the Branik Tennis Club.

The Pohorje Bike Park has hosted major mountain bike competitions in the past, and young mountain bikers also descended on the EYOF for the first time.

In the modern Tabor sports hall, we were impressed by the agility of young gymnasts.

The Draš centre at the foot of Pohorje hosted young volleyball players.

The judo matches were held in the Lukna hall.

Leon Štukelj Square, named after the most successful Slovenian Olympian, was transformed into a 3x3 basketball court during EYOF.

Europe's young handball players battled for victory in the Leon Štukelj University Sports Centre.

The modern Vrbanska Sports Hall hosted the matches of young female handball players.

OFEM with future generations in mind

We are not only thinking about the young sporting hopefuls who may become stars during their careers, but also about the sustainability of the competition in Maribor. The organisers of OFEM have worked to minimise the harmful effects of the festival on the environment and have encouraged both athletes and visitors to be sustainable.

Among other things, they organised useful workshops on social media visibility, interesting lectures and pop-up vintage shops in the common areas. They connected sports venues in the most sustainable way - with walking paths and cycle lanes. They also supported the circular economy by working with partners to collect usable packaging to be used for the winner's podium. 5 public transport lines were set up, connecting all venues. 48 buses transported sportsmen and sportswomen to training and matches.

Visit website

Rok and Filip – EYOF Maribor ambassadors

Top athletes are an inspiration to young people. Two Slovenian athletes, both from Maribor, were also an inspiration to the competitors at the OFEM in Maribor and were ambassadors of the competition.

eyof_rok mozic

Rok Možič

Rok Možič is exceptionally talented and is considered one of the most promising volleyball players in the world. He is currently impressing audiences in the Italian league and also plays for the Slovenian national team.

Visit website

eyof_filip flisar

Filip Flisar

Freestyle skier Filip Flisar may have put his competition skis on the shelf, but his achievements have not been forgotten. He won the Ski Cross World Champion title and the ski cross crystal globe and recorded several World Cup victories in the discipline.

Visit website

Experience Maribor in your own way

Maribor combines an active experience of nature among the forests of Pohorje with the gastronomic delights of the wine-growing surroundings. Here you can feel the lively pulse of the city streets and the next moment find yourself in the tranquil corners of nature. There’s something for everyone. The choice is yours.

Visit website

A gourmet getaway for rockers at heart

A five-star rock ’n’ roll of tastes will take you to Maribor’s gourmet spots and fill you with nostalgia for the city’s rock ‘n’ roll character of the 1960s. The experience is a unique blend of gastronomy and alternative cultural life that will make you rightfully cry out: “Rock on!”

A gourmet getaway for rockers at heart

Along the path of the most beautiful wine stories to the Oldest Vine

Maribor’s surroundings are adorned with vast vineyards, which hide beautiful spots, such as the heart-shaped road in the Svečinske Gorice hills. A sommelier will help you discover the wines of the Štajerska region that pair perfectly with local cuisine. You will visit one of the largest and oldest classical wine cellars in Europe and finish your tour at the Oldest Vine House, home to more than just the oldest vine in the world. Live through its 450 years of history with special VR glasses.

Raft on the Drava River

Enjoy the Drava River from a raft. The experience is even better in the evening with a bit of music and dancing. Let the ‘flosar’ (raftsman) and ‘flosarska frajla’ (the raft hostess) reveal the magic of this once-respected profession. Rafting on the Drava is an unforgettable experience, which provides a whole new view of the city.

Bee Flight Zip Line

Fly like the bees. Literally. Your adventure on the Sunny Paradise Estate zip line begins and ends in a beehive. Fly towards the nearby forest and back via two zip lines for a total length of 340 metres and enjoy the colourful honey plants below as you fly.

Wine tastings at the Oldest Vine House

A more than 450-year-old vine, which is considered to be the oldest in the world, grows on Maribor’s Lent. It is a symbol of wine culture of the Štajerska region and the city of Maribor. It has its own museum, festival and even its own anthem. It is no wonder that the Oldest Vine House houses a wine bar with a selection of wines from 55 local winemakers. Here you will have the opportunity to taste the finest wines from the Štajerska region, accompanied by a local snack of homemade bread, pumpkin seed oil and salt.

Top 10 active experiences in and around Maribor

A bike will come in very handy in Maribor. Whether it is to ride along the Drava Cycling Route or to feel the adrenaline rush at the Pohorje Bike Park. Go for a hike in the Pohorje forests or Nordic walking through the vineyards. Feel the adrenaline rush in the adventure park, in the air or on a summer toboggan track. Here are a few more suggestions on how you can spend an active holiday in the city of the world’s oldest vine.

Visit website

Active experiences for every day of the year

You can be active outdoors whenever you visit Slovenia. Explore it with your hiking boots on or on a bike. Plunge into the rapids or enjoy the calmer currents. Get your adrenaline pumping, find new challenges, but be careful and responsible in everything you do.

Skip carousel

Top road cycling tours

If you are a cyclist who prefers to cover distances by a road bike, take a look at some of the most beautiful, popular and challenging road cycling tours in Slovenia.

To Slovenia for a mountain biking experience

Varied cycling trails and paths winding between rocks, meadows and forests are a magnet for mountain bikers. Let their charm bewitch you too!

More on: To Slovenia for a mountain biking experience

The most beautiful hiking trails

Slovenia is criss-crossed with hiking trails. A trail for any taste can be found. Some of them will give you a really enjoyable experience in pristine nature.

More on: The most beautiful hiking trails

Long hikes, satisfying experiences

In Slovenia, lovers of long walks are able to find trails with interesting themes and diverse characteristics, connecting mountain peaks and valleys with coastal areas. Hike on the Alpe Adria Trail, the Walk of Peace, the E7 European long-distance path, etc.

More on: Long hikes, satisfying experiences

Water activities

Treat yourself to a swim in some of the many thermal spas and swimming pools. In summer, take a dip in the sea, lakes or rivers. Slovenia is rich in natural water resources. Visit Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj or one of the many natural swimming areas located on the coast.

An explosion of adrenaline-filled fun

Are you up for spending a daring and exciting summer? Choose an adrenaline-filled adventure that is ideal for you and embark on an unforgettable adventure.

More on: An explosion of adrenaline-filled fun

Unleash the full potential of your favourite outdoor activity and turn it into the ultimate adventure!

GET THE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES E-GUIDE, YOURS FOR FREE!

Subscribe to our e-newsletter and select your favorite outdoor activity to receive a tailored pack of ideas, exclusively designed to help you make the most of Slovenia's abundant offerings. But that's not all! As a bonus, you'll also receive the extensive Slovenia Outdoor e-guide, packed with nearly 100 pages of breathtaking ideas for sports and recreation amidst the country's lush natural environment.

Feel the sporting spirit of Slovenia

Slovenia is a green and active country. Sport holds an important place, as evidenced by the fact that it even has its own public holiday. The beautiful nature and the well-maintained infrastructure make it possible to spend your free time actively.

Skip carousel

Slovenia is a country of world-class athletes

Experience the active Slovenia and get to know its sporting heart.

Reasons for Slovenian sporting success at the international level

We present some reasons why Slovenia is successful in the field of sports.

Largest sporting events in Slovenia and the world in 2025

Get ready to cheer on your favourites and come to the idyllic environment of Slovenia’s sports venues.

Green story of Slovenia

Plan your holidays in green.

Active holidays

Discover the world of active outdoor adventures in Slovenia.

Outdoor festivals and events in Slovenia

Events and festivals where you can flex your muscles and enjoy nature.

Stories from Slovenia

Sign up for our monthly newsletter to receive a green piece of Slovenia in your inbox, and learn about holidays, seasonal offers, upcoming events and travel options.

Share with friends

Scroll down until you see the heart icon on the left.

Click on the icon and the content will be added to favourites.

When you revisit the page (in the same browser), the content will still be saved in your favourites.

Back Next

Things to do

Places to go

Plan your trip

Stories from Slovenia

EYOF Maribor 2023: Olympic spirit of young athletes