by Maximiliano Crocamo
Interviews: Mario Anzil, Deputy Governor and Councilor for Culture and Sports; Giorgio Brandolin, president of the EYOF 2027 executive committee
A lizard named Doro has been chosen as the official mascot of the 2027 European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF), organizers announced Friday during a ceremony at the Palazzo della Regione in Trieste.
The winning design was created by Valentina Polo, a student at Udine’s Liceo Artistico Sello. Around 150 students from the school participated in the competition, with three finalists unveiled at the event. The runners-up were Sofia Michelini, whose design featured a jellyfish named Mari, and Andrea Schneider, who created Pagù, a hermit crab.
Giorgio Brandolin, president of the EYOF 2027 organizing committee, said the festival would extend well beyond its host city of Lignano Sabbiadoro, with competitions taking place across Friuli Venezia Giulia. Handball matches will be held in Trieste, while clay target and pistol shooting events are scheduled for Porpetto, whose facilities he described as meeting international standards. Between 700 and 800 volunteers from sports federations, the Alpini and civil protection services are expected to support the 10-day event.
Regional Vice Governor Mario Anzil, who oversees sports, called the unveiling “a moment where sport meets art, creativity and culture,” saying the mascot would become a symbol of the festival for participants from all 48 competing nations.
The 2027 European Youth Olympic Festival will mark the event’s return to Lignano Sabbiadoro 22 years after it last hosted the games in 2005. More than 4,000 young athletes are expected to compete.
