The New Year always comes with hopes and wishes for health, happiness and success, but in the sphere of sports 2020 is of particular importance because it is an Olympic year. Preparations for the Summer Olympics, which start in Japan at the end of July, are already underway and the number of quotas of Bulgarian athletes continues to rise, but before Tokyo 2020 the attention of sports fans is focused on the 3^rd Winter Youth Olympic Games, which are to be held in Lausanne, Switzerland in the period January 9 to January 22.

At an emotional event in Sofia a few days before Christmas, Swiss Ambassador to Bulgaria, Muriel Berset Kohen and Chair of the Bulgarian Olympic Committee, Stefka Kostadinova, wished the athletes success and recalled the longstanding friendship between Bulgaria and Switzerland in sports. The event was also attended by Bulgarian Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, Stoyan Andonov, diplomats, politicians and famous sportspersons.

Ambassador Cohen recalled the life of Louis Eyer – "The Swiss with Bulgarian heart", who in 1894, along with several Swiss teachers in gymnastics, laid the foundations of physical education in Bulgaria. It is a historical fact that Bulgaria is one of the few countries that participated in the first modern Olympics back in 1896, represented by Swiss Charles Champaud. Ambassador Cohen also shared with guests her joy of standing next to Stefka Kostadinova, whose world record of 209 cm in women’s high jump, set back in 1987, remains unbeaten to this day. She added that the games in Lausanne were a forum uniting sporting achievements, Olympic spirit, culture, education and festive youth atmosphere.

The Swiss ambassador also presented Stefka Kostadinova with the official mascot of Lausanne 2020 – Yodli and wished it brought much luck to Bulgarian competitors.

The Olympic friendship between Bulgaria and Switzerland continues today and one of its faces is Swiss Reto Seiler, captain of the Bulgarian national curling team. Under his leadership, the team has won a silver medal at the European Championships for the first time in its history and in 2019 rose to Group B. Seiler’s motivational speech has surely inspired young competitors.

The participation of young sportspeople in the games held in the Olympic capital of the world will be an unforgettable experience for them, as well as for the spectators who will feel the enthusiasm of the next generation of world sport stars. BOC President Stefka Kostadinova told the athletes that the Olympics were the cream of one’s sports career and wished them strength and great performance.

"This new project of the IOC has been gaining momentum and empowering all athletes, giving them the chance to showcase their talent in competition with their peers. The Bulgarian Olympic Committee also implements similar projects like its winter and summer youth Olympic festivals. In Lausanne, 18 young Bulgarian competitors will participate in 8 sports. In these third youth games, our delegation will have 6 more athletes, which is a success. Thanks to the government and the Ministry of Sports, participants had been given the opportunity for normal preparation and training and I hope the New Year would be more successful and happier for all of us."

Legendary female athlete Stefka Kostadinova wished more medals and more occasions for joy to all Bulgarians in 2020.

English: Alexander Markov