ANOC Secretary General attends European Games Kraków-Małopolska 2023

ANOC Secretary General Gunilla Lindberg is in Poland for the European Games Kraków-Małopolska 2023 and on Monday had the honour of presenting the ‘golden tickets’ to the first athletes to secure qualification to the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

Secretary General Lindberg presented the golden tickets to Germany’s Dang Qiu and Nina Mittelham who qualified for Paris 2024 after winning the table tennis mixed doubles gold medal. Lindberg, who is also an European Olympic Committees (EOC) Executive Committee member, presented the tickets in her capacity as a member of the IOC Coordination Commission for Paris 2024.

Speaking to the media after the event, Lindberg explained the work that has been done by ANOC, the EOC and the IOC to ensure that continental Games are part of the Olympic qualification process.

“We’ve had a working group for more than a year with ANOC and the IOC, looking at integrating the Olympic qualifications in the continental Games programmes.

“It’s very good news to see it becoming a reality because it will also raise awareness of the continental Games.

“After Paris, this is something we will seek to strengthen further as we work towards the Games in 2027.”