The title of the European City of Sport 2024 is claimed by Thessaloniki, as announced by the Mayor of Thessaloniki, Konstantinos Zervas. The filing of the relevant nomination file was approved by the Thessaloniki Municipal Council at its meeting on July 18.

The Mayor of Thessaloniki, Konstantinos Zervas, said he was happy but also proud of this new claim, underlining that Thessaloniki is a city closely linked to sports. “Many sports clubs were founded in Thessaloniki, many sports started and spread from our city. A series of great athletes emerged here, who with their performances managed to spread the sporting spirit and make sports a broad social issue”, the Mayor of Thessaloniki pointed out, among others, referring to the multitude of sporting events that have been organized with great density in Thessaloniki, especially in recent years.

“Through the institution of the European City of Sports, we wish to expand our sports calendar, whi ch already contains a multitude of sporting events, to cultivate the enthusiasm and culture of sports, fair play and teamwork,” remarked Mr. Zervas.The contested conquest by Thessaloniki of the title of European City of Sport will be an important recognition at the European and international level and will have multiplying benefits for the sports sector in the city, leading among others to:

• Creating a framework for active networking of Thessaloniki and exchange of best practices with other cities and participation in conferences and a network of more than 3,000 cities around the world.
• Promotion of sports tourism through the organization of major sports events in Thessaloniki in 2024.
• Placement of Thessaloniki on the international sports map as a city with the possibility of hosting international sports events.
• Boosting the local economy through many sporting events that bring life to the city.
• Enhancing the participation of city residents and visitors in sports activities.
• Further support of local sports clubs and city athletes.
• Strengthen existing and promote additional partnerships in the sports sector.