Baku, Azerbaijan, June 17
By Seba Aghayeva - Trend:
Sports and politics shouldn't be mixed, Andrzej Krasnicki, president of the Polish Olympic Committee told Trend June 17.
He was commenting on the flow of negative information in the western media against Azerbaijan, during the First European Games in Baku.
"There are so many opportunities and places (out of sport events) when politicians can exchange their opinions on political matters," he said. "Maybe, on the occasion of the European Games somebody wants to "win" something else for himself?"
"We are against mixing sports and politics," Andrzej Krasnicki added.
Talking about the opening ceremony of the First European Games in Baku, he said that it was a great and very colorful event. "It was prepared really perfectly and met enthusiastic applauses from the audience, as well as from the athletes."
Krasnicki said that everyone has his/her own personal impressions of the European Games' opening, while for him it was the athletes' parade, which was especially interesting.
"Marching athletes, official speeches, the artistic part of this wonderful evening will remain in my mind for a long time."
The president of the Polish Olympic Committee also shared his impressions of Baku.
"Baku is a very interesting city where history meets modernity - on the same part of Baku, you can find very old buildings, as well as absolutely new ones," he said.
Stadiums and sport halls are really fantastic, said Krasnicki, adding that all of them meet the international standards and can host any European or World Championships.
"People on the streets, in restaurants and shops are very friendly and helpful for foreigners. Thank you, Baku!" Krasnicki added.
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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