Baku, Azerbaijan, May 7
By Elmira Tariverdiyeva - Trend:
Chief Operating Officer of Baku 2015 European Games Simon Clegg hopes that new sporting history will begin in Azerbaijan with the first European Games, he said in an article published on the British website standard.co.uk.
For this dapper former artillery officer has less than 40 days to complete preparations for the inaugural European Games which will be staged in Baku, capital of Azerbaijan, in June, the article said.
"Yes, this project could be my most demanding ever," he said. "This is the first time this event has ever been held, we are pretty much putting it together in just 30 months when most countries have years to prepare."
He has managed 12 British Olympic teams and then, as chief executive of the British Olympic Association, he led the successful political lobbying campaign that ended with London staging the Games three years ago.
"But we have put together a great team, this is one of the most glamorous capital cities in the world and we have adapted to the local environment and are committed to making it work," he said.
More than 6,000 athletes from across Europe will be representing their nations over the 17 days in 16 Olympic and four non-Olympic events, said the article.
British stars expected to take part will include boxer Nicola Adams, table tennis player Kelly Sibley and Taekwondo's Jade Jones.
"We are making sporting history in Europe," Clegg said. "It is a huge privilege to be in that position."
Sport can be a great catalyst for change, he said.
"There will be global coverage of the country which we believe will show how far it has come and will spotlight the friendliness of the people of Azerbaijan," Clegg said.
Baku has already won the right to hold a Formula One Grand Prix next year and a European Football Championships quarter final in 2020.
"We think the European Games will showcase this country and provide a blueprint for the future," he said.
Baku 2015 is the first-ever European Games, an exciting and innovative multi-sport event for the continent that 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
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