The first day of EOC 2008

Today was the first day of the European championships 2008. After the arrival most of the teams used the opportunity to take part in the model events for the sprint distance in the centre of Ventspils, as well as for middle and long distances outside the city.

• Pictures from the training

During the model event EOC Media people interviewed a few sportsmen about their first impressions and goals for the EOC 2008. The five-time world champion french runner Thierry Gueorgiou admitted that his main goal for this season is WOC in Czech Republic, therefore the main goal for the races in Ventpils is to get positive feelings for the rest of the season:

However reigning European champion in sprint Emil Wingstedt (SWE) admitted that the terrains near Ventspils are very technical, but still there will be many runners who will fight for the top positions. He also said that his goals for the EOC are to reach TOP 4 in any of the individual races:

In the evening the official opening ceremony was held near the Olympic Centre of Ventspils. The president of the Latvian Orienteering federation Pteris Apinis wished the best success for all the competitors of the championships.

• Pictures from the opening ceremony

Tomorrow it is the first competition day that will begin with the sprint qualification at 9:00. The start lists can already be found in the Start list section. During the race there will be Live results from the competition area.