WELCOME TO APELDOORN 2025

European Athletics President’s Welcome Message Apeldoorn 2025

I am delighted to welcome everyone to Apeldoorn for the 38th edition of the European Athletics Indoor Championships. 

This is the third time that the Netherlands has staged these championships following on from Rotterdam in 1973 and The Hague in 1989 and, as always, it is a pleasure to be back in this country. 

It may have been 36 years since the European Athletics Indoor Championships were last staged in the Netherlands, but it has been less than a decade since Amsterdam was the host city for the biggest event in our portfolio, the 2016 European Athletics Championships. On that occasion, the Royal Dutch Athletics Federation and their local organising committee staged a superb championships.  

European Athletics have been impressed with the commitment and organisational skill of everyone involved in the preparations for these championships and I am looking forward immensely to what should be thrilling and inspirational four days of competition.  The Omnisport Apeldoorn is the perfect venue for showcasing our sport and the talent of Europe’s top athletes.  

Now it’s the turn of the athletes to respond and, in the superlative conditions they have at their disposal here, I am sure they will. 

To everyone involved – athletes, coaches, officials, media, staff, volunteers, and spectators – I wish you an enjoyable and successful time in Apeldoorn. 

I would also like to take this opportunity on behalf of European Athletics to offer my sincere thanks to the Royal Dutch Athletics Federation – Atletiekunie – and to all the officials and volunteers working with the Local Organising Committee for all their hard work and commitment. 

Dobromir Karamarinov
European Athletics President

Apeldoorn 2025 Dafne Schippers, tournament director Welcome Message

After a fantastic summer full of athletics delight, and in which many athletes have surpassed themselves and achieved impressive performances at major events, we are now fully engaged in the preparations for the European Athletics Indoor Championships 2025 in Apeldoorn!  

Over the last few years, we have shown that track and field in the Netherlands is something to be proud of.  Thanks to high-level performances at major events, the sport has grown enormously in popularity, and we have proven that athletics in the Netherlands is truly something special.   

Our dedication and passion for athletics stand out, not only in the Netherlands, but also across the borders. We do everything we can to add to this with the organisation of this tournament. A tournament that has already shown a tremendous level of attention, experience and innovation in previous editions.  

In recent years the performances of TeamNL athletes have put the Netherlands on the athletics map with medals and personal records at the highest level.  It was a great honour for me to be there regularly and to represent our country at the highest stages. I am incredibly proud that I have been able to contribute to the growth of Dutch athletics and to see what this growth means for the inspiration and motivation of future athletes. We are serious competitors, and I truly believe that we will be even more competitive in events in the future. 

With the 2025 European Athletics Indoor Championships just around the corner, we are ready to raise the bar even higher: for both athletes and spectators. More action, more fans and even more unique experiences, both on and off the track. Get ready for some insane performances and a spectacular event! You really don’t want to miss this – the European Athletics Indoor Championships promise to be an event to remember.   

See you in Apeldoorn! 

Dafne Schippers
Tournament Director