The Olympic Committee of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the cities of Sarajevo and East Sarajevo have won the coveted “Peace and Sport” Diplomatic Action of the Year award for their joint efforts in staging the successful 14th Winter European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) this February.

HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco presented the award to BiH NOC President Izet Rado, Vice President Sinisa Kisic, Secretary General Said Fazlagic and the mayors of the two cities at the 10th Peace and Sport Awards Ceremony in Monaco.

“We are proud that the Olympic spirit has returned to our country. We are honoured that the slogan ‘two cities one dream’ has become a reality,” NOC President Rado said after receiving the award.

“We send our appreciation to EOC President Janez Kocijančič and the whole European Olympic family for believing in us and for supporting the organisation of the EYOF Sarajevo and East Sarajevo 2019,” he continued.

In a congratulatory message sent on behalf of the Olympic Movement of Europe, EOC President Kocijančič said: “The EYOF once again demonstrated that peace, harmony and hope for a better future begin where sport and youth converge. We are proud of the NOC of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the cities of Sarajevo & East Sarajevo not only for winning this prestigious award but especially for showing the world that the country is very capable of hosting major events at the highest level when working together in harmony and with a single vision.”

“Seeing the two cities united in a common celebration of sport and peace, seeing so many people participating with enthusiasm and joy, is a source of pride not only for Bosnia and Herzegovina, but especially for the EOC and the entire Olympic Movement,” he concluded.

Peace and Sport Founder and President Joël Bouzou, who announced the winners, said the Winter EYOF had provided hope and inspiration to a new generation of young athletes in Bosnia & Herzegovina.