SPORTS
IOC VICE-PRESIDENT VISITED TOMB OF NATIONAL LEADER OF AZERBAIJAN PRESIDENT HEYDAR ALIYEV
Speaking to journalists on the goal of the visit to Azerbaijan, Mr. Vitaliy Smirnov reminded on the decision of IOC to reward President of the National Olympic Committee of Azerbaijan, President Ilham Aliyev with the highest award of this Organization – “Olympic Order” and his mission on presenting the Head of State on behalf of IOC of this award.
According to Mr. V. Smirnov, for successful development of sports in any country, it is necessary existence of three factors – talented youth, wishing to go in sports, sports bases and personnel. In Azerbaijan, there are certain achievements in this field, evidence of which is accomplishments of the Azerbaijani sportsmen at the latest Olympic games. “I have toured the entire Azerbaijan. There have been constructed many sports complexes in your country and this is the major aspect”, IOK vice-president emphasized.
“If the President of Azerbaijan keeps presidency of the National Olympic Committee of Azerbaijan, it means much, and in first, that Ilham Aliyev attaches great importance to development of sports in the Country. And sports is not only mean of propaganda of the Country at high international level, but also opportunity to strengthen health of the nation, instill good life manners in youth where should not be place for alcoholics, narcotics, tobacco”, Mr. Vitaliy Smirnov stressed.