With great pride and much pleasure we present the first two ambassadors for the EYOF 2013 in Utrecht:
Melissa Boekelman
Melissa Boekelman (19), reigning European Youth Champion and vice World Youth Champion shot put, was one of the 15 athletes nominated by the European Athletics Association for the 2008 Waterford Crystal European Athletics Rising Star award. As you can imagine we are proud to introduce this very talented athlete as one of our ambassadors for the European Youth Olympic Festival 2013 in Utrecht. Melissa retains some good memories of the European Youth Olympic Festival, for in 2005 she won the gold medal for discus and shot put in Lignano.
“Two golden medals and an EYOF record in Lignano convinced me that I really want to participate in the Olympic Games and of course also win the Olympic golden medal! The EYOF was for me a wonderful experience, which I will remember and cherish forever. That’s why there is nothing better than being an ambassador for this event that we will hopefully host again in the Netherlands in 2013!”
“Being an athlete I fully support the ambition of the Netherlands to become a real sports county. Organising the EYOF 2013 in Utrecht would be a great opportunity for young European athletes to benefit from this Dutch ambition in the field of sport as well. I’m really looking forward to welcoming you in Utrecht in 2013!”
Jeffrey Wammes Jeffrey Wammes (21), born and raised in the city of Utrecht, is one of the biggest talents in gymnastics in the Netherlands. In March 2006 disaster hit this remarkable athlete with a promising international sports career. Jeffrey broke both his ankles during the World Cup competition in Lyon (FRA). His sports career seemed to end there and then. But Jeffrey fought his way back and already participated in the World Championships in 2006! His persistence and strength are incredible and an inspiring example for all those talented young people who wish to perform at the highest level.
Jeffrey regrets that he himself never participated in EYOF. “In those days gymnastics for men was not part of the programme. As I missed being part of EYOF as an athlete I’m delighted that my home town is a candidate host city for the EYOF in 2013. It would be really fantastic to have a second chance a be part of this event in the city where I started both life and my sports career and that has so much to offer for EYOF participants.”
“I’m very proud to be an ambassador of the EYOF 2013 of the city of Utrecht and I really look forward to welcoming all those European sport talents in my home town in another five years time. So see you in Utrecht!”