European Para Youth Games open in spectacular style

The record-breaking Istanbul 2025 European Para Youth Games has officially opened with a colourful ceremony at the Cebeci Sports Complex in Istanbul, Turkiye.

Around 640 athletes among 1,300 competitors, coaches and team staff from 33 countries - all records for the EPYG - will take part in a multi-sport competition which draws the cream of young sporting talent from across Europe.

The athletes who proudly paraded behind their national flags represented the record nine Para sports that will make up the seventh edition of the Games whose motto of Grow. Aspire. Play will be the beacon that shines throughout.

The ceremony was a wonderful representation of Turkish culture reflecting the warm and friendly welcome to one of Europe's most historic and magnificent cities the hosts have shown their visitors.

For many the Games will be the launching pad of a sporting journey that hopefully will lead them to European or world championships and the ultimate dream of a Paralympic Games.

But the motto of Grow. Aspire. Play will be a constant theme of the competition - in Para archery, Para athletics, wheelchair basketball, boccia, goalball, Para judo, Para swimming, Para table tennis and Para taekwondo - which runs until July 27.

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Raymon Blondel, President of the European Paralympic Committee, said: "As the old saying goes, it's not the destination but journey to get there that counts. 

"This is where the European Para Youth Games has its roots firmly anchored, and from its branches it continues to sprout new shoots.

"The motto of Grow. Aspire. Play. encapsulates the platform that the European Para Youth Games represents.

"To grow is to embrace change with courage, nurture curiosity into knowledge, and transform challenges into opportunities, forging a future where our roots deepen in resilience while our branches reach endlessly toward possibility.

"To aspire is to look beyond limitations with unwavering ambition, ignite dreams into purpose, and relentlessly pursue excellence, knowing that every step forward brings us closer to the extraordinary heights we dare to imagine.

"To play is to unleash the fun and joy of creativity and exploration, embrace the spirit of freedom and connection, and turn every moment into an opportunity to learn, innovate, and celebrate the boundless possibilities of life.

"With this renewed concept we wish to provide an environment where everyone who competes, coaches, officiates, and volunteers can learn, dream big and push their boundaries, and have fun while they are doing it, and this also includes Local Organising Committees.

"We want everyone to look back at Istanbul 2025 and say: it was the start of great journey or an important step along the way."

Games mascot GLi, embodying Istanbul's affinity with cats, led the parade of nations starting with Austria and ending with hosts Türkiye whose athletes will be looking to win a bagful of gold medals competing on home soil.

A modern twist on traditional Turkish dance stunned the gathered athletes, teams and VIPs to give the Opening Ceremony a local edge.

And the parade of nations demonstrated the huge growth in the EPYG since the first edition in Brno in Czechia in 2011 when around 240 competitors from 13 countries took part.

This time Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, North Macedonia and Ukraine took part in the ceremony as debutant nations.

The ceremony ended with a celebration of music and dance then a spectacular ticker tape explosion as competitors and coaches renewed friendships among other nations in the stands.

The record-breaking Istanbul 2025 European Para Youth Games officially open on 24 July and run until 27 July. They will feature a record 640 athletes with 1,300 competitors, coaches and team staff from 33 countries, also the biggest ever number, competing in Para archery, Para athletics, wheelchair basketball, boccia, goalball, Para judo, Para swimming, Para table tennis and Para taekwondo.

Participants will also get to experience the Discovery Programme where they will have the chance to take part in education and experiences in a broad range of topics, including activities designed to immerse the people of Istanbul in EPYG and to get to know Para sport.