Baku, July 24 (AZERTAC). President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has today received medal winners of the 27th World University Summer Games in Kazan, and their coaches, as well as the country`s sports specialists.

The Head of State congratulated them on their triumph in Kazan.

The President said Azerbaijan once again proved itself to be a sports nation.

President Ilham Aliyev noted that the anthem of Azerbaijan was performed four times, and the country`s flag was raised 16 times in Kazan. The Azerbaijani leader added the country`s athletes won 4 gold, 5 silver and 7 bronze medals.

The Head of State noted Azerbaijan gained 10 medals in the London Olympic Games, adding sports was developing rapidly and continuously in Azerbaijan. The President said only strong countries make such achievements.

The Azerbaijani leader said the government attached great importance to sports, particularly athletes, coaches, and sports specialists.

The Head of State expressed confidence that Azerbaijani sportsmen would achieve greater successes in the future.

President Ilham Aliyev said he recently signed an order to give big money prize to the winners of the World University Summer Games.

Winner of the Games, Greco-roman wrestler Rasul Chunayev said “the Head of State`s and the people`s support played an important role in ensuring our success”.

Rasul Chunayev, who spoke on behalf of the sportsmen, said they will vote for Ilham Aliyev in the forthcoming presidential election.

Coach Yagub Mammadov said Azerbaijan ranked 15th in the overall medal table of the World University Summer Games with a squad of 81 athletes, describing it as a record indicator.

Mr. Mammadov thanked the Head of State for attention to sportsmen and sports specialists, and noted they will vote for Ilham Aliyev in the upcoming presidential election.

The Azerbaijani President mentioned the holding of the first-ever European Olympic Games in 2015, hailing this as one of the country`s remarkable successes.