site.btaUPDATED President Radev Confers with International Olympic Committee President Bach

Bulgaria highly appreciates the readiness of the International Olympic Committee to support Bulgaria's efforts and ambition to host the Youth Olympic Winter Games, President Rumen Radev said during a Tuesday meeting with International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach, which took place at the IOC headquarters in Lausanne, Radev's press centre said on Tuesday.

During the meeting, the IOC leadership expressed readiness to assist in the preparation of a roadmap for Bulgaria's candidacy so that the country meets the standards for hosting the sporting event in Sofia. "Bulgaria is proud of its winter sports traditions and has gained serious experience in the organisation of international competitions. Our country also has excellent natural conditions," Radev said at the meeting. In Bach's words, the capital's proximity to the mountains would make the organisation of the event much easier. It is necessary to assess the facilities and infrastructure needed to host the youth sports forum. 

The Head of State said that it was a matter of pride for Bulgaria to be among the 14 countries that took part in the first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896. During their meeting, Rumen Radev and Thomas Bach noted the contribution of the Olympic Movement to the promotion of peace and understanding between people. The meeting was attended by Bulgarian Olympic Committee (BOC) President Stefka Kostadinova, as well as Vesela Lecheva, a member of the IOC Public Affairs and Corporate Communications Committee.