Baku, Azerbaijan, Apr.21
By Anakhanum Khidayatova - Trend:
The technical preparations for the First European Games in Baku have been very impressive, the UK Ambassador to Azerbaijan Irfan Siddiq told Trend Apr.21.
The new stadia and facilities being built are all of a very high quality and will leave a lasting legacy in Azerbaijan, according to the UK ambassador.
"I've been lucky to visit a few of the venues for test events and have been very impressed with the organization and preparations so far," he said.
Azerbaijan has hired many international experts, including lots of people who worked on the London 2012 Olympic Games, to help ensure the Games are well organized, Siddiq said. "So from an organizational point of view, I am sure the Games will be a great success."
"I expect there to be around 165 British athletes coming to Azerbaijan to participate in the Games," said the diplomat, adding that also, there will be a large number of officials and family members coming to Baku.
"So Britain will be well represented at the Games and I hope we'll see some British athletes winning gold medals," the diplomat 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.
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