Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 20
By Anvar Mammadov - Trend:
All the conditions have been created in Azerbaijan for holding the artistic gymnastics world cup qualification stages for the Olympic Games, says Morinari Watanabe, a member of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) Executive Committee.
"This is my second visit to Baku. Excellent conditions have been created for athletes," Watanabe, who is also the secretary general of the Japan Gymnastic Association, told Trend Feb. 20.
"I hope Baku will be able to host the artistic gymnastics world cup qualification stages for the Olympic Games," he added. "All the conditions are available here."
Watanabe also said that artistic gymnastics rapidly develops in Azerbaijan, adding that rhythmic gymnastics already stands at a very high level in the country.
The FIG World Challenge Cup in Artistic Gymnastics kicked off in Baku Feb. 19 and is to end Feb. 21. As many as 45 male and 22 female gymnasts will compete for medals in apparatus finals of the World Challenge Cup.
In general, athletes from 19 countries are to participate in the event.
Men's and women's qualifications on the first two days of the competitions will be followed by apparatus finals on the last day.
