The NOCs of Europe have shortlisted 3 girls and two boys:
- Franko GRGIC (CRO) – Swimming
- Yaroslava MAHUCHIKH (UKR) – Athletics
- Madis MIHKELS (EST) – Cycling
- Liza PUSZTAI (HUN) – Fencing
- Giorgia VILLA (ITA) – Artistic Gymnastics
All of them have medalled at the Summer European Youth Olympic Festivals or the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) or both events: Swimmer Grcic won two gold medals at the EYOF Baku 2019, Cyclist Mihkels two gold medals at the EYOF Baku 2019, High jumper Mahuchikh 1 gold at EYOF Gyor 2017 and 1 gold at the YOG Buenos Aires 2018, Fencer Pusztai 2 gold medals at the YOG Buenos Aires, Gymnast Villa 3 gold and 1 Silver at the YOG Buenos Aires 2018.
While the elections will take place during the 48th EOC General Assembly in Warsaw on 26 October, the athletes will be awarded at the Gala Dinner of the Polish NOC Centenary Celebrations, which will take place on the evening of the same day.
The winning athlete will receive an amount of €15,000, while the second and third-place finishers will secure €8,000 and €5,000 respectively. The fourth and fifth place athletes, meanwhile, both will receive €3,000.
Last year the Summer prize went to Austrian racing cyclist Laura Stigger, who continues to add successes to her young sports career.
The EOC Piotr Nurowski Prize for Best European Young Athlete was created in 2011 to remember Piotr Nurowski, a great man of Olympism and former President of the Polish Olympic Committee, who tragically died in a plane crash.
Through his example and his memory, the award encourages young athletes to pursue their careers in elite sports, as well as inspires future generations to adopt exceptional conduct on and off the field of play.