Community and Sport Unite in Sofia

The streets of Sofia buzzed with energy this Sunday as thousands gathered for the 5kMedRun, a five-kilometer cross-country event organized by the Capital Medical College under the Bulgarian Medical Association. The event drew a diverse crowd, including doctors, families, and competitive athletes, all embracing the crisp morning air for a dose of physical activity.

Among the notable participants was Tervel Zamfirov, the bronze medalist from the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. The world champion snowboarder didn't just offer words of encouragement; he laced up and joined the runners. Zamfirov admitted the run provided a welcome break from his academic responsibilities. Currently in the middle of his university exams, he has eleven tests to complete, making the outdoor event a refreshing escape from textbooks.

Vesela Lecheva, President of the Bulgarian Olympic Committee (BOC), was also present, championing the health benefits of such initiatives. "These events show that people love sport and are seeking more opportunities for physical activity," Lecheva stated. "And no one knows better than doctors that nothing is better for health than sport."

BOC Legal Saga Resolves, Funding to Return

Beyond the track, Lecheva addressed significant developments regarding the governance of Bulgarian sport. The new BOC leadership was officially registered in the Commercial Register this week, marking a pivotal step in ending a prolonged legal dispute. Lecheva revealed that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has been kept fully informed throughout the process and reacted with relief to the favorable resolution.

"I had talks with Lausanne just a few days ago. The news about the end of the legal saga was received extremely positively, I can say with relief," Lecheva explained. "We are continuing active joint work on all programs and activities."

The resolution paves the way for the IOC to restore financial support to the BOC, which had been suspended during the uncertainty. Lecheva is scheduled to present the committee's financial status to the IOC Executive Board on Wednesday. The meeting will focus on creating a short-term action plan to address significant operational backlogs and catch up on delayed projects.

Lecheva emphasized transparency moving forward. Before releasing specific figures, the new leadership will brief the IOC Executive Board, followed by updates for the Bulgarian public. "We will manage transparently, planning regular briefings for the press. This is a public organization that must be accountable to society," she concluded. The combination of community sport and administrative stability signals a new chapter for Bulgarian athletics.