Košice is European city of sport 2016

The eastern Slovak city of Košice is now European city of sport 2016. After being the European capital of culture in 2013, Košice, which is the second largest city in Slovakia, gains international attention once again this time by becoming one of the 19 European cities of sport for the year 2016. In spite of the freezing weather, the opening ceremony of this special year for Košice attracted hundreds of spectators. Apart from a cultural program, a number of concerts and a fire show, visitors to the event had the chance to see the first discipline of the Košice sport year; the run of the Three kings with over 400 participants. Košice, also called the metropolis of the East, hopes to use the title awarded by the European Capitals and Cities of Sport Federation to attract people of all generations, locals and as well as foreigners to sport activities, hoping to crack even the difficult cases - people who exercise only rarely or not at all. Seniors, the disabled and the socially underprivileged will be allowed to participate in the city of sport events for free. Apart from promoting sport, the title is also a chance to popularise the city of Košice on an international scale. "Right after the announcement of our candidacy, we started to get offers from unions and international federations to organise sport events in our city. This will not only boost Košice's economy but also bring various sport events to our citizens and motivate our youth to become more involved in sport activities", said the mayor of Košice Richard Raši. The city plans to invest funds into infrastructure, renovate school sport venues and build new, modern sport facilities for professionals as well as the public. Among the most prominent events to take place during the city of sport year will be the 93^rd Košice Peace Marathon, a ZOO run, a 24 hour marathon on ice, the Priests' European Football Championship or the Winter and Summer Olympics for seniors.