President Aliyev receives Igor Levitin
By Nigar Orujova
Speaking at a meeting with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev in Baku, Igor Levitin, the vice-president of the Russian Olympic Committee noted that all Russian sportsmen are taking their training very seriously ahead of the first European Games.
The inaugural sporting event will open in the newly built Olympic Stadium in Baku on June 12. The 17 days-competition will see compete over 6,000 sportsmen from 50 countries in 20 sports.
Aide to the Russian President Levitin presented a memorial album dedicated to the Sochi Winter Olympic Games to the head of state.
"Nearly 300 athletes will represent Russia in the event," he stressed.
Levitin expressed confidence that the first European Games would
be excellently organized while wishing Azerbaijan success in the
preparation process.
President Aliyev congratulated Russia on its achievements in
organizing the Sochi Winter Olympic Games.
He stressed that although Baku has had very little time to prepare since it was decided the European Games would be hosted by Azerbaijan, much had been made in terms of preparation and construction.
"Azerbaijan will spare no efforts in ensuring that high-level
organization is kept during the Games," President Aliyev said,
adding that the event is important not only to Azerbaijan, but also
crucial in securing international cooperation in the field of
sport.
Both sides stressed the overall successful development of bilateral
relations between Azerbaijan and Russia, and expressed confidence
that these ties would continue to develop.
Mehriban Aliyeva, chairperson of the Organizing Committee of the European Games, also met with Igor Levitin. They discussed preparation for the inaugural games.
The first lady said much work has been done by the Organizing Committee of Baku 2015 Games in a short period of time.
She highlighted what success Azerbaijan achieved in the past few years to develop sport. She spoke of Azerbaijani sportsmen’s achievements in European and world championships.
The largest delegation of the European Games, the Azerbaijani delegation, will be represented by about 320 athletes. The games will take place in 21 stadia and facilities across Baku and Mingachevir city.
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Nigar Orujova is AzerNews’s staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @o_nigar
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