Baku, Azerbaijan, June 29
Aygun Badalova - Trend:
The European Games have great success ahead of them, and in that regard Baku has played a very important role in establishing this event, Chief Operating Officer of the first European Games Baku 2015 Simon Clegg said June 29 at the final press conference in Baku, dedicated to the European Games.
Clegg said that the Games were important both for Azerbaijan and the whole European sports.
He further said that it is not up to him to say what the future of the European Games will be.
"Most important is to hear what the athletes have to say," Clegg said. "And the athletes left Azerbaijan not only with fantastic experience of this country but also had a very high-level competition."
"If the athletes want to come back for the next European Games, and if we are going to have the best athletes, then I am sure the broadcasters will attend it, and the sponsors will follow."
Simon Clegg thanked the amazing team of BEGOC, some 2,500 Azerbaijanis and expatriates who worked on the European Games for the last 30 months.
He also thanked the sponsors, broadcasters and the media outlets.
"Thank you for believing in this project," Clegg said, adding that this event had no history before.
"We came to you with a blank piece of paper and you believed in us and in this project. As a result of your support and commitment, the European Games not only became a reality, but it also has an amazing future ahead of it in 2019 and 2013," Clegg said.
Clegg didn't forget to mention the volunteers and the flame keepers as well.
"They have been the people that the athletes, officials and spectators have related to," Clegg said. "And they showed up day after day with smile on their faces, trying to do their best for Azerbaijan. Without their support, it would've been impossible to organize this event. The opening ceremony was a stunning success."
"We can look back with pride, in terms of contribution that we've made to this event," Clegg said.
The European Games kicked off in Baku June 12 and wrapped up on June 28. Baku 2015 First European Games hosted 20 sports - 16 Olympic and four non-Olympic sports.
More than 6,000 athletes from across Europe came to Baku to represent 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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Aygun Badalova is Trend Agency's staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @AygunBadalova