The Turkish official reportedly made the comment during the EOC Executive Committee meeting in Samorin, held prior to the 41^st EOC seminar in the Slovakian town.

Poland was awarded the third European Games back in 2019, but the build-up has faced uncertainty due to the Host City Contract remaining unsigned.

The EOC had been optimistic earlier this year that the contract would be finalised in July, but the process has continued to face delays.

A potential breakthrough was made earlier this month after talks were held between the Polish Government and representatives from Games co-hosts Kraków, Małopolska and Silesia.

Officials in Kraków had been seeking assurances over the financing of sports infrastructure required for the Games, which the Polish Government has now agreed to fund.

Outstanding issues remain with the Kraków City Council seeking support for improved transport infrastructure, including around the student campus where an Olympic Village is expected to be developed.

Officials are hopeful a full agreement will be reached by the end of this year, allowing the Host City Contract to finally be signed.

Arat told the EOC Executive Committee that three major Olympic sports are expected to bolster the programme for the Games, with talks nearing their conclusion.

Archery, 3x3 basketball, badminton, beach handball, beach soccer, boxing, breaking, canoeing, cycling, fencing, judo, karate, modern pentathlon, muaythai, kickboxing, padel, shooting, ski jumping, sport climbing, table tennis, taekwondo, teqball and triathlon are among confirmed sports.

The European Athletics Team Championships will also be held as part of the event.

The EOC Executive Committee meeting, led by President Spyros Capralos, saw the presentation of Raffaele Pagnozzi’s secretary general’s report.

The report outlined activities of the EOC Office in Rome and their impact on the wider European Olympic Movement.

The EOC and EOC EU Office budgets were confirmed as the meeting, along with the composition of EOC Commissions and Working Groups.

Efforts were reportedly made to ensure an increase in women's and National Olympic Committee representation across the bodies.

Irish hockey player David Harte, Lithuanian modern pentathlete Laura Asadauskaite, Czech biathlete Lucie Charvatova and Polish speed skater Luiza Zlotkowska were added to the EOC’s Athletes’ Commission.

Zlotkowska will serve as an "athlete representing the host of the next European Games".

The EOC said appointed Athletes' Commission members will serve two-year terms.

The organisation added that Athletes' Commission members will be added to each EOC Commission, with chair Gerd Kanter appointed to make recommendations.

Athletes are set to meet with the European Union in Brussels on January 18, with the future of sport in Europe set to be the key discussion.

The EOC said one of the meeting’s goals will be to confirm the role of elected Olympic Movement Athletes’ Commissions as the representatives for athletes in Europe in general.

Capralos reportedly called for EOC Commissions to be more active and use online platforms to hold more meetings.

Commissions are expected to prepare sections of the EOC’s strategic plan, which will cover the 2020 to 2030 time period.