Hickey congratulated the cities of Sarajevo and East Sarajevo on obtaining the organization of the 13th European Winter Olympic Festival for Youth 2017. He said that Sarajevo, due to its multiculturalism, multiethnicity and the principles of tolerance and unity, is an ideal place to gather over 1.000 young athletes from 40 European countries. He called on all levels of government in B&H to support this significant manifestation, in both material terms and human potential.
Dr. Čović spoke to Hickey about the preparations for this festival, and expressed hope that sports on ice would revitalize and conditions would be created for these sports to receive their ‘homes’ where athletes could train throughout the entire year.