(ATR) European Olympic Committees president Patrick Hickey tells Around the Rings he is receiving "very positive" feedback about plans to launch a European Games.
A questionnaire was mailed to Europe’s 49 National Olympic Committees following the EOC general assembly in Belgrade last November. The questionnaire gauges opinions on the viability of a multi-sports event for Europe. It is the only continent that does not have its own games.
Survey results were due back this month, but the EOC extended the deadline for submissions to Feb. 10. Hickey says that because of the Christmas and New Year holidays, many NOCs lacked the time to convene a formal meeting to discuss the European Games plan.
Hickey says the NOCs' feedback will determine if the project moves forward to the consultancy stage, or is scrapped.
"So far the feedback is very positive," Hickey told ATR.
In the 26-question survey seen by ATR, NOCs are asked if they support the idea of staging the event on a four-year cycle and, if they do, how they would like the European Games to be organized.
Questions include: How many sports should be included in the first edition of the Games? Are there some sports that should be considered ‘core’ to the event? Should sports not currently on the Olympic Program be included in the Games? How many athletes should participate? What year should the firstGames take place - 2015, 2017 or beyond? What month(s) of the year should the Games take place?
Major multinational companies have already expressed interest in sponsoring a European Games. Marketing and TV rights experts consulted by the EOC last year confirmed the revenue potential to stage the event.
Costs to stage continental games can rangeinto the hundreds of millions of dollars.
Hickey says a continental games would provide a significant income stream for European NOCs and federations.
A decision on whether the EOC proceeds with its European Games project is expected next month.
A report on the initiative will be presented to EOC delegates at the association's general assembly in Sochi, the 2014 Winter Olympic host city, in November.
While no senior games take place for the continent, the EOC does organize three multi-sport events: the summer and winter European Youth Olympic Festivals, and the Games of the Small States of Europe.
Written by Mark Bisson.
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