24 replies to this topic

[baron-pierreIV]

Wouldn't it be redundant?  I mean there are the various European Cups, European Figure Skating Championships, etc., etc.  

And you will get into the perennial quandary -- what about Turkey and Israel?  Besides, I think the global/European calendar is already pretty full.

[Rols O'Bertilsson]

Exactly, Europe already hosts so many high quality sporting championships, that a European Games would be redundant.

[wamel042]

Perhaps a new format could be chosen, like the World Games. Only using existing facilities or these Games could be spread over several cities. For example: if Holland would organise these Games, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht all could participate in the organisation.

Amsterdam: Olympic Stadium (1928)
Amsterdam: Rai-complex (indoor sports)
Amsterdam: Amsterdam ArenA
Alkmaar: Velodrome
Utrecht: Beatrix-Fair-complex (indoor sports)
Rotterdam: Baseball and soccer
The Hague: equestrian
Amsterdam: swimming (Sloterparkbad).

For a small country a great opportunity. Holland would be capable, see Euro 2000.

[faster]

Rei - if i am not mistaken most of the european championships are held biannually - and are used as qualification events for the Olympics and world championships - so why not have a games that does away with the individual sports championships and acts as Olympic/WChamp qualifiers?

[wamel042]

I think such a new event would be possible. And several sports would have a much greater impact, than the current Championships! Look at the Olympics: most people know famous stars, even if they compete in a sport they normally do not watch, but at large Games all sports are much more in the picture. For example: if there is a European Championships in swimming, hardly anybody is interested or knows the results, but many people now results from the Olympics!

Let try something new.

[baron-pierreIV]

Trouble is, who do you think would dominate?  Of course, Russia and Germany would take the lion's share of the medals -- followed by, I would guess, the Ukraine, then maybe Rumania.

But I'm sure if it were feasible, it would've been thought of.  Plus, maybe Europe is all sports'ed out?

[IceNarcissus]

Well, to maybe add an element of an organized games without conglomerating the various European championships of sports and adding yet another layer to the already immense hierarchy that is European sporting events, would be to have the sports federations award different cities European Championship events in sports (like they currently do,) but also along with the hosting comes a title similar to the European Capitals of Culture thing. Like the European Capitals of Sport or something like that. With a tiny grant a year beforehand to help with the venue of which the event is planned. Nothing big.

[Rei]

wamel042, on Oct. 09 2005,07:03, said:

All other continent also organise their own soccer-championships and also a continental Games.

the difference is that euro soccer championships are more important and famous than those of the other continents..

too many important events whic follow each other don't sound good..

[wamel042]

Any new thoughts?

Perhaps a nice start in 2009, with most of the excisting venues in Athens?

2013: Prague - CZE
2017: Amsterdam - NED
2021: Helsinki - FIN
2025: Belgrade - SCG

Nice opportunity for "smaller" countries to host a major event..

[Rols O'Bertilsson]

I knew I'd read this quote in the past, and just came across it again recently (and then this thread resurfaced).

Anyway, this is a quote from Jacques Rogge in 1989, when he was head of the European Association of NOCs, and just recently elected onto the IOC.

"I'm not a boaster, but the fact is, whether others like it or not, Europe is the leading Olympic entrant: in the number of competitors, medals, the range of experts. We don't have a continental games _     we don't want them.*"

* my emphasis.