European Athletics President Dobromir Karamarinov paid tribute to the organisers ahead of the Apeldoorn 2025 European Athletics Indoor Championships for this week’s event which will take place in front of a sell-out crowd at the Omnisport Arena.
Speaking at the Official Press Conference on Wednesday (5), he said: “It will be exciting. We have everything here. We have a really excellent arena, we have a lot of the big stars from Europe and we have the sessions sold out. It means a lot, it shows a lot, it shows how our sport is famous.
“Also, our commercial programme is sold out It shows our partners trust is and believe that together, we have a future. The have 46 out of 49 current member federations. We have at least 35 broadcasters, it is a really good sign.
"I want to thank the Royal Dutch Athletics Federation, I want to thank the LOC and thanks to the municipality of Apeldoorn. I want to thank all the people who are involved in this championships, all volunteers, all officials and I want to thank European Athletics staff who together work with the LOC hand in hand to make this competition happen.”
Schippers: "The best feeling you can have"
Twice world 200m champion, Olympic 200m silver medallist and women’s 60m gold medallist at the Prague 2015 European Athletics Indoor Championships Dafne Schippers is Tournament Director for Apeldoorn 2025 and this week’s event evokes memories of the Amsterdam 2016 European Athletics Championships, where she won 100m and 4x10m gold.
“It’s a little bit different, because indoors and outdoors is a little bit different,” she said. “But still, we have a full stadium, so that’s perfect to compete for athletes. It’s great to see that and in 2016 we had the same and to be honest, I was an athlete there and it was a great, great event for me.
"I loved the crowd and the atmosphere. Everyone was so excited and that was before the Rio Olympics. As an athlete it was one of the best events for me.”
Given her vast experience, she also took the opportunity to pass on some advice to the next generation of Dutch athletes competing at Apeldoorn 2025. "Have fun and feel that atmosphere,” she said. “To be honest, I am retired one and a half years ago, that’s the best feeling you can have. To be there in the stadium and be the best athlete you can be.”
Chris Broadbent for European Athletics