Baku, Azerbaijan, May 15
By Elmira Tariverdiyeva - Trend:
The holding of the First European Games in Baku is very important, as, aside from the Olympic Games, Europe has never hosted such all-European sports competitions, the first deputy general director of the TASS agency, Mikhail Gusman, told Trend May 15.
Gusman recalled a talk with the International Olympic Committee's President Thomas Bach a year ago, when the latter said that the First European Games in Baku is a very significant sports event, since Europe had got its own games.
Gusman said that it is also necessary to note the initiative of the president of the European Olympic Committees (EOC), Patrick Hickey, who supported Azerbaijan's bid.
He said that the selection of Azerbaijan as a venue for the First European Games was both an indicator of the success of Azerbaijani athletes in various sports on the world stage, and an indicator of the authority of Azerbaijan - a country that knows how to organize major international events.
He said holding such Games is extremely difficult logistically, technically and organizationally.
Gusman further said it is necessary to note the role played by the European Games Organizing Committee, which is headed by Azerbaijan's First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, adding that all the experts and those observing the preparation for the event point out this as well.
He said it is important to underscore that Mehriban Aliyeva is not just heading the Organizing Committee, but she also considers every little detail.
"Nothing stays away from the attention of the Organizing Committee. In my opinion, it is a guarantee that the First European Games will enjoy great success," said Gusman.
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.