Baku, April 17, AZERTAC

The Baku 2015 European Games has welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to promote active and healthy living as a legacy of the Baku 2015 European Games between official partner Coca-Cola and the Azerbaijan National Olympic Committee, the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Education.

The “Active Family, Healthy Community” (FASA in Azerbaijani) program is aimed at ensuring involvement of Azerbaijani people in regular physical activities.

Minister of Youth and Sports Mr. Azad Rahimov emphasized the importance of the social legacy that the European Games will leave: “While the European Games is an indicator of the development of our country, it is important to note the strong inspirational power of the Games in encouraging our people, especially families, to do sports and lead active lifestyles.

“I believe that as a social legacy of the European Games, more and more people will be involved in active lifestyles and I would like to thank Coca-Cola and the partners for their support of the FASA Programme.”

Baku 2015 European Games Chief Operating Officer Mr Simon Clegg said: “The inaugural edition of the European Games was always designed to provide a lasting legacy for the people of Azerbaijan and the vision was to promote healthy living. We are delighted that Coca-Cola, one of our valued official partners, has joined FASA to support that legacy by inspiring local families to lead active lifestyles.”

Mr. Cem Becel, the General Manager of Azerbaijan Coca-Cola stressed the importance of active living for the well-being of societies: “We at Coca-Cola believe that active and healthy living lead to happier and healthier lives, which benefit the overall well-being of communities.”

Baku 2015 is the first ever European Games, an exciting and innovative multi-sport event for the continent which will take place from 12 – 28 June 2015.

There will be a total of 20 sports at Baku 2015: 16 Olympic sports and four non-Olympic sports. More than

6,000 athletes from across Europe will be representing their nations over 17 days of competition.

Twelve of the sports will offer qualification opportunities for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Those sports include Archery, Athletics, Boxing, Cycling, Judo, Shooting, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Triathlon, Volleyball and Wrestling.

Baku was awarded the Games by the European Olympic Committees (EOC) in December 2012. The Baku European Games Operations Committee (BEGOC) will organise and run the Games in cooperation with the EOC.