Baku, Azerbaijan, March 5
Trend:
Opening ceremony for the FIG World Cup in Trampoline Gymnastics was held at the National Gymnastics Arena in Baku March 5.
Azerbaijani Minister of Youth and Sports Azad Rahimov addressed the event.
"Dear athletes and guests, dear sports community representatives, dear ladies and gentlemen! I greet all the participants joined from various parts of the world to another major competition - the FIG World Cup in Trampoline Gymnastics organized today on the ancient land of Azerbaijan, express my best wishes and welcome you to Azerbaijan," Rahimov said.
The minister said nowadays, Azerbaijan is internationally acknowledged as sports country, adding that prosperity of sports in Azerbaijan to such an extent is in the limelight of the world community as well.
"Consequently, our country has become a venue for very prestigious international events," added Rahimov.
He noted that the First European Games, the World and European Championships, as well as international tournaments were organized in Azerbaijan at the highest level, meeting all contemporary requirements.
"Namely for this reason, international sports organizations with pleasure entrust our country hosting of such events on a regular basis," he said. "In order to justify this confidence, we are making efforts to carry out our duties in a worthy manner under special attention and leadership of the head of state, President of the National Olympic Committee of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev."
"I am confident that we will also hold this competition at the highest level," Rahimov said. "Trampoline Gymnastics is favorite sports discipline that attracts the large audience in the world, including our country."
He emphasized that support and interest shown in gymnastics disciplines, as well as in trampoline gymnastics, has significantly increased after election of first lady of Azerbaijan, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, MP Mehriban Aliyeva as the president of Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation.
As a result, all events are organized at high level and they turn into sports festival, the minister added.
"Taking an opportunity, on behalf of sports community, I would like to express our deep gratitude to the country's President Mr. Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva for their attention and care shown to sports in Azerbaijan," he said.
Rahimov noted that the World Cup in Trampoline Gymnastics, development of which commenced in Azerbaijan from late 2013, is held in Azerbaijan for the first time.
"I would like to thank the leadership of the International Federation of Gymnastics for its facilitation to the organization of such a prestigious event in our republic," he said.
"These competitions, with participation of 17 countries of the world, will play an important role in the development and promotion of this gymnastics discipline in Azerbaijan and create favorable conditions for the athletes to gain experience," according to the minister.
"I am sure that this event will become an unforgettable sports festival for the spectators and fans, who came to watch the competitions," he added.
Rahimov also said he believes that the athletes, trying out their routines at such a competition, will also demonstrate their skills at the XXXI Summer Olympic Games to be held in Rio de Janeiro on August 5-21.
"I wish each athlete to compete with dignity and win a victory. Thank you for your attention," the minister said in conclusion.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Horst Kunze, president of the FIG Trampoline Gymnastics Technical Committee, said:
"Ladies and gentlemen! Dear athletes, coaches, judges and officials! Welcome to Baku, to our first Trampoline World Cup of the series 2016 and the first ever in Azerbaijan."
"Thank you for coming from all over the World and supporting our World Cup series!" said Kunze.
He noted that the International Gymnastics Federation and its President Bruno Grandi send their best greetings.
Kunze added that Grandi regrets that he was not able to come, due to his enormous schedule this year.
He expressed gratitude to Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation for all the work in preparation of this World Cup.
"I wish all the athletes the very best of success and the audience an exciting event," Kunze said.
"Dear athletes and guests, dear sports fans," Vice-President of the Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation (AGF) Altay Hasanov said at the opening ceremony. "First of all, on behalf of President of Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation Mrs Mehriban Aliyeva, I welcome all participants of the FIG World Cup in Trampoline Gymnastics."
He recalled that two weeks ago, the National Gymnastics Arena hosted the FIG World Challenge Cup in Artistic Gymnastics for the first time in Baku.
"Today, we are witnessing first ever World Cup in another gymnastics discipline in our country - Trampoline Gymnastics," said Hasanov.
"The organization of such major competitions in Baku one after another in the beginning of 2016, especially the World Cup in Trampoline Gymnastics, which is relatively new gymnastics discipline for us, says about entering onto new stage of gymnastics development in Azerbaijan," he added.
"During the two-day competitions, we will watch the performances of quite talented and well-known trampoline gymnasts," said the AGF vice-president.
"Namely, the performances of such athletes encourage the young growing generation of gymnasts, already showing big interest in trampoline gymnastics in our country, and, inspire them to be persistent in big time sports," he added.
"I express my gratitude to each member of the Organizing Committee, volunteers, who contributed to the organization of this competition, as well as spectators gathered here, and, wish the athletes success and new victories," said Hasanov.
He congratulated everyone with another gymnastics festival and announced the FIG World Cup AGF Trophy in Trampoline Gymnastics open.
After that, a colorful opening ceremony took place, where various gymnastic disciplines were represented
Azerbaijani athletes' performance was accompanied by three musical compositions - Carmina Burana by Carl Orff, Azerbaijani national music and the athletes completed their competition to the accompaniment of the song 'Ey Vatan'.
The FIG World Cup in Trampoline Gymnastics kicked off March 5 at the National Gymnastics Arena in Baku, and will end on March 6.
Athletes from Europe, Japan, Australia and the US are participating in the World Cup.
Azerbaijan will be represented at the World Cup by Ilya Grishunin, Oleg Piunov, Dmitriy Fedorovskiy, Ruslan Aghamirov, Sviatlana Makshtarova and Sabina Zaitseva.
Overall, 77 gymnasts (46 men and 31 women), who represent 17 countries, are to participate in the competitions.
Following the first day of the qualification event, the competitions will complete by finals on March 6.
During the competitions, spectators will have an opportunity to participate in various contests and receive gifts from organizers.
