Baku, Azerbaijan, June 13
By Elena Kosolapova - Trend:
It will be very hard for any other European country that will host the next European Games to compare with Azerbaijan, Duncan Mackay, editor of Inside the Games sports portal said in an interview with Trend.
"There is no doubt that these Games in Baku will be very successful, because Azerbaijan has clearly invested a lot of recourses in them in terms of money, human recourses," he said.
The Games are very important for Europe, because they provide more competitive opportunity for the countries of this continent, said the editor. "I think it is a good opportunity to take part in the multi-sport games and have practice."
Mackay said he came to Baku in December 2011 for the first time and comes back every year since then. The editor said he witnessed amazing transformation of the city. He added that a number of sport facilities meeting very high Olympic standards have been built there over these years.
"Azerbaijan can be proud of the facilities," he said.
He said the opening ceremony of the First European Games in Baku was very good.
There was a perfect balance between local culture and history and international entertainment standards, according to Mackay. "It was fabulous."
He said very good conditions have been created in the Media Village of the First European Games. The apartments for the reporters are very large and comfortable.
Mackay also commented on the criticism against Azerbaijan in western media outlets.
"Azerbaijan should not be necessarily upset about critic. When you post yourself in the spotlight when hosting such great event, you attract attention."
The European Games that kicked off in Baku June 12, will last till June 28.
There is 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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