There is just over one year to go until the 2023 European Masters Games are set to take place in Tampere in Finland from June 26 to July 9, with a provisional programme of 29 sports and disciplines.
The International Masters Games Association (IMGA) is expecting approximately 7,500 mature athletes in what is due to be the fifth edition of the event which has progressively grown in the number of sports and competitors each time.
It is the first time that Finland is staging the event and the IMGA has taken advantage of Tampere’s size by ensuring that all of the competition venues are under 15 minutes away from each other by car.
“Overall the venues are of the highest level, from flagship venues to the smaller stadiums.” IMGA chief executive Jens Holm said. They are all high-standard and meticulously maintained. We saw each of the venues in use during our visit, which demonstrates an active society. It is actually surprising how few are aware of Tampere, as it is such a vibrant and lively city. I am looking forward to welcome the masters community from all over the world in Tampere next year for a big celebration of sport and togetherness.”
Archery, athletics, badminton, basketball, beach volleyball plus volleyball, canoe slalom and sprint, cycling, disc golf, futsal, football, floorball, golf, handball, inline hockey, judo, karate, orienteering, padel, petanque, rowing, swimming, shooting, squash, tennis, table tennis, triathlon and weightlifting feature on the programme.
The Organising Committee has incorporated Tampere’s red and yellow colours into its logo and visual elements for the event.
The Pirkanmaa city is also due to co-host the 2023 International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship alongside Riga in Latvia after also holding this year’s event with Helsinki in May.
The IMGA also runs the World Masters Games, Winter World Masters Games, Pan-American Masters Games, and the Asia-Pacific Masters Games.
It claims that its mission is to promote the “sport for all” philosophy of the Olympic Charter and works together with different host cities “to organise the best international multi-sport festivals”.
Article first appeared at Inside the Games on 22 June 2022.
