Bansko awarded European Sports City 2017

Gotse Delchev street -- good for a jog

Bansko seems to have impressed the accreditation committee for European Capital and Cities of Sports association (ACES Europe). This news announced confirmed to me by ACES joins 400 other European cities carrying the title of sports capitals. Maybe because Bansko has one million plus tourists per year and that it has had ten International ski events and supports ten local ski clubs is good enough reason.

But regular readers will know a it’s healthy to be skeptical of awards.  Bansko get loads of theses award things. The Daily Telegraph, The (UK) Post Office to name just a few have put Bansko is their top resorts so far this year.

I like to check facts and after searching for winners of the European Sports City 2017 I whilst I was unable to find anything about Bansko: http://www.aceseurope.eu/index.php/en/2012-09-01-17-17-01/european-cities-of-sport . A quick email and they confirmed back to me, within the hour, that Bansko has indeed been awarded European Sports City 2017.

One has to be carful to read whether these are just PR paid for mentions or something more meaningful. Unlike banskoblog.com, a lot of media, especially here in Bulgaria, is not independent. Media does not mention when an article is sponsored or where their funding comes from. As part of the Bulgaria Independent Media Association (“BIMA”) our code does not allow us to publish paid-for content without disclosure; and nor have I ever done so.

Anyhow, Bansko does have good sports facilities and I’ll take this award at face value. Bansko is developing MTB trails and offering more in summer. I am impressed with the many initiatives that are going on from the Gastronomy Festival to Jazz Fest to MTB competitions and other outdoor competitions Bansko is gradually feeling like a place that more people can come and enjoy outside the ski season.

Weather forecast

Getting colder — snow making to start again soon