Baku, Azerbaijan, July 25
By Ilhama Isabalayeva – Trend:
Azerbaijani team will be represented at 31st Summer Olympic Games and 15th Summer Paralympic Games in Rio with 56 athletes, the country’s Minister of Youth and Sports Azad Rahimov said during the press conference July 25.
Azerbaijan expects many medals from its athletes at the Olympiad, said the minister.
“Part of our team – judokas are already in Brazil,” he added.
Azerbaijan will be represented at Rio 2016 in 18 sports, four of which are new (triathlon, archery, cycling and canoe slalom), said the minister.
Rahimov noted that Azerbaijani paralympians will leave for the Games in September.
“I believe that our paralympians will have high achievements. Our team will participate in the Olympiad with a large staff, therefore, they will be accommodated in a separate building in the Rio Olympic Village,” said Rahimov.
“The Olympic Village will host a welcoming ceremony for our athletes Aug.3 and Azerbaijani flag will be raised there,” added the minister.
Thirty-six of 56 athletes, who will represent Azerbaijan in Rio, will participate in Olympic Games for the first time.
During the Olympiad, the Azerbaijani team will be accompanied by 34 coaches, six doctors, physiotherapists and technicians.
Azerbaijan’s sports delegation will leave for Rio Aug.1 and will return to the homeland Aug.22.
The 31st Summer Olympic Games will be held in Rio on Aug.5-21, while the 15th Summer Paralympic Games will take place on Sept.7-18.