Azerbaijan to host first European Olympic Games in 2015
Baku, December 13 (AZERTAC). As earlier reported, the first European Olympic Games will be held in Azerbaijan in 2015.
To this end, a special event was held at the administrative building of the National Olympic Committee ((NOC).
Speaking at the event, minister of youth and sports Azad Rahimov praised conducting by Azerbaijan of the first European Games, making accent on care and attention of the Azerbaijani state for sports in the country.
As was noted, the Europe NOCs voted by secret ballot with an overwhelming majority of 38 voting in favor, eight against and three abstaining, confirming Baku as the host city for the inaugural games in 2015.
The host city contract was signed shortly afterwards by European Olympic Committee’s President Patrick Hickey, EOC Secretary General Raffaele Pagnozzi, Azerbaijani Minister of Youth and Sports Azad Rahimov and Vice President of the Azerbaijan NOC Chingiz Huseynzade.
During the meeting, EOC President Hickey spoke about the idea of the Games' inception and expressed his support for holding the tournament in Baku.
The Azerbaijani NCO's vice-president Chingiz HUseynzade expressed Azerbaijan's desire to host the Games, saying people of the country, especially youth, will meet with enthusiasm the news about the capital city's hosting the competition.
"Holding the first European Games in Baku is a great historical event. We tried very hard to make this happen and we achieved it," Huseynzade said.
Other members of the Azerbaijani delegation spoke of the country's achievements not only in sports but also in economics and politics.
Minister Rahimov expressed political and financial guarantees as well as guarantees for the participants' safety and full readiness of all sports infrastructure to host the Games.
Exact dates of the tournament have not yet been scheduled, but the Games will presumably take place in late spring or early summer, with athletes competing in up to 15 sports.
The list of featured sports will be determined soon, Huseynzade noted. "At the moment, it is known that judo, taekwondo, badminton, triathlon, handball and volleyball will be presented, while other disciplines have not yet been specified."
He also said that an organizing committee on holding the Games in Baku will be established in the coming days, and the Olympic committee will determine the plans regarding the Olympic Village and other issues.
The NOCs have received assurance that the event will not cost them a penny, but will bring them financial gains.
Head of the Russian Olympic Committee Alexander Zhukov has expressed support for the European games.
"The idea of organizing the European Olympic Games was put forward long ago," he said. "They will certainly give a new impetus to the development of sports on our continent. The Russian Olympic Committee stands ready for close cooperation with the Azerbaijani Olympic Committee to ensure successful training and holding of the European Games for the first time in history."
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