Baku, Azerbaijan, Mar. 31
By Elchin Mehdiyev - Trend:
The flame for the First European Games in Baku will be lit on April 26, Azerbaijan's Minister of Youth and Sports Azad Rahimov said.
The minister made the remarks in Turkey, during the meeting with Azerbaijani athletes taking part in the European Karate Championships.
Rahimov said the athletes and well-known people of Azerbaijan would carry the flame across all districts and cities of the country.
The minister added that the fire of the First European Games would be lit with this flame on the Baku Olympic Stadium a day before the start of the Games.
Rahimov went on to add that all sports facilities in Baku will be commissioned in April, after which it will be possible to say with confidence that Baku is ready to host these major competitions.
Furthermore, the Azerbaijani minister said that campaign for advertising the First European Games has begun in the world and various videotapes have been prepared.
Agreements have been signed with TV channels from over 34 countries of Europe and the world for broadcasting and advertising the First European Games, according to the minister.
Rahimov said over 500 million people will watch the First European Games in China alone, adding that holding of this event in Baku is very important for popularizing Azerbaijan in the world.
Grandiose opening and closing ceremonies are being prepared for the First European Games, the minister added.
Baku 2015 is the first-ever European Games, an exciting and innovative multi-sport event for the continent which will take place on June 12-28, 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.
Baku was awarded the games by the European Olympic Committees (EOC) in December 2012.
Edited by CN