Baku, Azerbaijan, June 16
By Elchin Mehdiyev - Trend:
Azerbaijani athletes started to win gold and silver medals from the very first days of European Games in Baku, Vice-President of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Azerbaijan Khazar Isayev told reporters June 16.
Azerbaijani athletes currently have seven gold medals, he said.
"I'm sure that we will witness increase of the number of gold medals," he said. "We are waiting for this."
Azerbaijan has an excellent team at the first European Games, according to Isayev.
"I predicted that we would win 20-22 medals, however, watching the competitions, I can say that we will have an opportunity to win even more medals," said Isayev. "I thank all the sports federations for the victory and I wish success to Azerbaijani athletes. I wish that the number of gold medals increase."
Vice-president of the National Olympic Committee said that the opening ceremony of the first European Games was held on a very high level.
"As you know, the opening ceremony was great, and the presidents of several major countries were present at it," said Isayev, adding that it indicated friendly attitude of those countries towards Azerbaijan.
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.