Graubünden women start at the Youth Olympic Games

32 young Swiss athletes from the disciplines of badminton, judo, artistic gymnastics, track and field, cycling, swimming and tennis traveled to Slovakia last Saturday together with their supervisors. In Banská Bystrica they will represent Switzerland from July 25th to 30th at the Summer European Youth Olympic Festival, as reported in a press release by Swiss Olympic. From a Swiss point of view, the conditions for successful competitions are there, says Simone Merkli, Chef de Mission of Swiss Olympic at the EYOF in Banská Bystrica: “The local organizing committee prepared the event very well and the competition venues make a very good impression. The Sports Park in particular, in which five of the seven sports with Swiss participation take place, offers an excellent atmosphere and guarantees exciting competitions».

As usual for youth events, Swiss Olympic does not formulate a specific medal goal. «Of course we are happy about every medal win. These mean a highlight for the whole delegation. Ultimately, however, the most important thing for us and the sports associations is that the young athletes have positive personal experiences that allow them to mature on their way,” says Simone Merkli.

Bündner in action

With Selina Capaul from Domat/Ems and Kristýna Paul from Chur, two young athletes from Graubünden will also represent Switzerland in Slovakia. Tennis player Paul has her first performance this Monday at 11:30 am. On the Sports Park Tennis Court 4 she will compete in the individual tennis competition against Silvia Alletti from San Marino. The next task for the only 14-year-old youngster is already waiting in the afternoon. Together with 15-year-old Henry Bernet from Basel, she contests the first round in doubles against the Lithuanian duo Julius Aleksandrovas/Laima Vladson.

16-year-old Capaul contests her first day of competition on Wednesday. The javelin thrower will fight for a medal for Switzerland at 4:30 p.m., also in Sports park Athletics.

The EYOF competitions can be followed live on the official website: https://eoctv.org/live/