Baku, Azerbaijan, May 2
Trend:
Azerbaijan expects that the European Games in Baku will be a common celebration for the athletes all over Europe, Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev said in an interview with Russia 24 TV channel.
"For us it has been a big responsibility," said the president.
He went on to note that Azerbaijan was the only candidate for hosting these Games.
"And in general, if we had not agreed at the time with it, this idea would have probably remained as an idea," the president added.
"I have to point out the exceptional role of the President of the European Olympic Committees Mr. Patrick Hickey, who has always promoted this idea, and it has been a great responsibility for us, and, of course, a great honor for us in 2.5 years, and even less, to hold the Games, which are comparable to the Olympics," he further said.
"More than 6,000 athletes, 20 types of sports - but we have coped with the task," said the president. "The torch has been already lit. We have lit it in the ancient Ateshgah temple, an ancient Zoroastrian temple."
"Azerbaijan, as you know, is a land of many religions - Zoroastrianism, Islam, Christianity and Judaism. A unique atmosphere of brotherhood among peoples and inter-religious cooperation was created in our country," he said.
Ilham Aliyev went on to add that the torch is already being taken throughout Azerbaijan.
However, he said, along with this, there are attempts to discredit the Games, and as it is getting closer to the Games, those attempts are becoming more obvious.
"This causes only our surprise, perplexity," said the president. "What is this needed for? It is just unbearable for someone that Azerbaijan can hold such events."
So, he said, Azerbaijan is now going through roughly the same that Russia went through on the eve of Sochi Olympics - "the discredit, the lies, the nonsense, and some astronomical funds that we've spent."
"In principle, only several hundred million dollars have been spent for operating costs, for holding the Games," he said. "And the sports facilities we have - 90 percent of those facilities were either built or their construction began before the decision was taken, that is, we were not building them for the Games."
That also goes for the transport infrastructure, as the president said, it was developed before the games.
"You visit us often and you see it. Therefore, such a campaign of lies, hatred and anger is now upon us. But this is not important, the main thing is that we, I am sure, will create a festival of friendship, celebration of sport, and our main guests will be of course, the athletes," said President Aliyev.
"We invite everyone who wants to take part in this celebration - the athletes and tourists, ordinary citizens of the European countries, the CIS. Make yourself at home, in a good atmosphere."
"And I wish success to the Russian team, I believe Russia will be the favorite at the Games," said the president.
