Baku, Azerbaijan, Mar.17
By Huseyn Veliyev - Trend:
Baku has completed major work on preparation for the first European Games, which will take place this summer, Vice President of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Azerbaijan Chingiz Huseynzade told reporters March 17.
He said that all the construction and installation work on the Baku Olympic Stadium has been completed, and the preparatory work for its opening is underway. Basically, only improvement work is left, the vice-president of the NOC said.
He said that the budget of the first European Games provides for the implementation of more efficient programs.
The largest funds are being allocated for construction and repair work, the activity of the Organizing Committee as a whole, according to Huseynzade.
Commenting on the issue of payment for participation of foreign athletes in the first European Games by Azerbaijan, vice president of the National Olympic Committee said that just like during the Olympic Games, accommodation, travel expenses of the foreign athletes are paid by the Organizing Committee.
"It is noted in all contracts," he said. "We, like an organizing side, cover all these costs. This is normal. Our advantage is that if during the Olympic Games all income from marketing belongs to the International Olympic Committee, in our country all the income, whether it comes from sales of tickets or television, will be income of Azerbaijan."
He also said that the preparation for the first European Games is at the final stage.
He said that at present, the composition of participants from all countries of the first European Games has been defined.
"Less than 90 days are left before the start of European Games," he said. "As you know, sports facilities have already been built, and many of them are ready for use, test competitions are being held. In April, test competitions in boxing and wrestling will be held. Palace of water sports is also fully operational, and its testing will take place in April or May."
Huseynzade also announced full readiness of the Olympic Village.
He said that one of the main challenges is to attract as many spectators as possible to the first European Games.
"We hope for the activity of Azerbaijani spectators at sporting events," said vice-president of the National Olympic Committee.
Ultimately, Azerbaijan will win, Huseynzade said.
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.
The European Olympic Committees (EOC) awarded Baku the Games in December 2012.
Edited by CN
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