"Sofia is part of the events dedicated to the International Olympic Day with the relay race. This global sports holiday is held under the auspices of the International Olympic Committee in thousands of cities around the world. In 2024, when the Summer Olympic Games are held in Paris, our city will be the world capital of sport." This was said by the Mayor of Sofia, Yordanka Fandakova, when welcoming the athletes who participated in the relay race on June 23, 2023 at “Slaveykov” Square in front of the French Cultural Center.

The Olympic flame was welcomed by our Olympic champions Evgenia Radanova and Zdravka Yordanova.

Mayor Fandakova congratulated all the participating athletes, as well as our Olympic champions. Sofia has won the title of European capital of sport permanently and will be the world capital of sports next year thanks to the active participation of the people of Sofia, who get involve d in the sports life of the city and with the great support of our Olympic and European champions.

In recent years, more than 100 sports fields have been built in Sofia, more than 130 outdoor gyms in the neighborhoods, as well as student sports halls and gyms.

This year alone, nearly 200 events are scheduled in Sofia's Calendar. The "Sofia - European Capital of Sport" Foundation continues to actively promote sports among citizens through all its initiatives. Three of the largest sporting events are scheduled to take place in July. These are "Vitosha 100", a celebration of cycling in "West Park", "Vitosha Summer Fest" and others.

Photographer: Adelina Angelova