Baku, Azerbaijan, March 6
Trend:
Baku will host the European Games, which is the first in the history of sports, Vice President of Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation (AGF) Altay Hasanov told Trend on March 6 during the Open Joint Azerbaijan Championship in Gymnastics Disciplines.
"The Open Joint Azerbaijan Championships is being held as preparations for this big sports event," Hasanov said.
He noted that as a rule separate competitions are held per each discipline of sport in European championships. "This time we are holding a tournament on the National Gymnastics Arena in accordance with the special new program by combining six disciplines."
Hasanov said it is very important being done for the first time. "One of our major tasks in this point is the manner of training, timing and sequence of holding these disciplines," he stressed.
He also voiced satisfaction with the results the Azerbaijani gymnasts achieved at the tournament.
"Artistic and rhythmic gymnasts are performing well and we expect them to make even greater success in the future," he said. "Marina Durunda was indeed very good."
"The most important point was to find out how our athletes will feel with the combined four Olympic and two non-Olympic gymnastic disciplines in a single sport event," Hasanov added.
He also expressed satisfaction with the training level of the athletes, the work of coaches and everyone involved in the competitions.
Based on the results of the tournament, the Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation will draw conclusions for the upcoming First European Games, according to the vice president.
"We cooperate and consult with the Baku 2015 European Games Organizing Committee," he said.
Hasanov voiced hope for the Azerbaijani flag to be repeatedly raised in the First European Games which will be inscribed in the history of sports.
European Games 2015 are the first games in the history of the European continent to be held in Baku on June 12 to 28, 2015.