Bardonecchia Steps Into the Summer Spotlight for EJU Judo Training in 2026

Bardonecchia and the EJU Olympic Training Camp are set to become a key part of the summer judo calendar in 2026. From 6–10 July 2026, the Italian mountain town will host the Bardonecchia EJU Olympic Training Camp at the Palazzetto dello Sport, offering athletes, coaches and federations a new high-level setting for preparation.

What makes this camp stand out is not only the tatami work, but the timing. According to the EJU, Bardonecchia is the only OTC scheduled between the end of the Poreč camp on 13 June and the start of the Papendal camp on 10 August. That makes the Italian stop an important opportunity in a long stretch of the summer season.

The location brings a different feel to the series. While other camps are known for their seaside atmosphere, Bardonecchia adds altitude training in the Italian Alps, close to the French border and within easy reach of Turin. For athletes looking for demanding preparation in a fresh environment, that combination could be a major draw.

Bardonecchia fills a crucial gap in the 2026 EJU summer training calendar.

There is also strong sporting history behind the venue. Bardonecchia played a role in the 2006 Winter Olympic Games, hosting snowboarding events and welcoming elite sport to its Olympic facilities. Now, that same setting is preparing to welcome the judo community.

For many athletes and teams, this will be a first look at a new Italian destination on the EJU camp map. The promise is simple but attractive: alpine scenery, intense randori, technical exchange and the shared rhythm that defines an Olympic Training Camp. It is the kind of week where hard sessions and recovery time both matter.

European names already linked to the atmosphere around the camp underline its level. The source highlights European champion Christian Parlati of Italy, double Olympic medallist Odette Giuffrida of Italy, Olympic champion Fabio Basile of Italy, Olympic champion Hidayat Heydarov of Azerbaijan, Olympic champion Distria Krasniqi of Kosovo, Olympic bronze medallist Matthias Casse of Belgium and Olympic silver medallist Raz Hershko of Israel. The expectation, as stated by the EJU, is that Olympic, world and continental champions will be on the tatami.

That matters even more with the next Olympic cycle in mind. The road toward Los Angeles 2028 is approaching, and camps like this are where athletes begin to measure themselves against top opposition, sharpen routines and build momentum. The EJU presents these OTC events as more than simple preparation blocks, and Bardonecchia appears designed to fit that idea.

Beyond training, the camp also offers a setting that could help teams reset and reconnect. The town’s mountain character, local cuisine and slower rhythm are part of the appeal, balancing the intensity of elite judo with the need to recover properly.

Olympic legacy and alpine altitude give this camp a different energy.

Bardonecchia may be a new stop, but it is arriving with serious purpose. In a packed sport where timing, quality and atmosphere all matter, this July camp looks ready to become one of the most interesting EJU dates of the 2026 summer.

Source: EJU.net

Image source: EJU / European Judo Union