Azernews.Az

By Nigar Orujova

President Ilham Aliyev opened Baku Olympic Stadium, the largest stadium in the region, on March 18.

A diamond of the Azerbaijani sport facilities, the national Olympics Stadium was founded in 2011. The arena located at Lake Boyukshor is one of the first greatest constructions Baku visitors see when arriving in the capital.

The official opening ceremony was also attended by First Lady and Chairperson of the Baku 2015 European Games Organizing Committee, Mehriban Aliyeva and Youth and Sport Minister and CEO of BEGOC, Azad Rahimov.

Rahimov informed that the six-storey stadium occupies an area of nearly 50 hectares. The pitch has four entrance gates, while the stands have 26 gates. The arena has room for 68,000 spectators and 3,100-car parking spaces.

The facility consists of the main and auxiliary stadiums, an auxiliary building, as well as sections for VIP, CIP, media and disabled spectators.

The construction process at the facility went ahead in accordance with the International Building Code, as well as those of UEFA and FIFA.

The stadium is expected to become the venue of main sport events in Azerbaijan, including opening and closing ceremonies of the inaugural European Games this June, and the quarterfinals and three group games of the UEFA EURO 2020.

The stadium will be surrounded by a boulevard that is now under construction at Lake Boyukshor. A 82,000 square meter green area will be laid out around the facility.

The majority of the events of the first European Games will be held in Baku Olympic Stadium complex located on the eastern shore of the lake. The site will receive many guests, sportsmen and tourists during the Baku 2015 European Games on June 12-28.

The head of state and the first lady also reviewed the work accomplished under the environmental project around the lake and adjacent areas.

Economy and Industry Minister Shahin Mustafayev said the project had been implemented under the state program for the socio-economic development of Baku and its suburbs in 2014- 2016 and a decree on additional measures on improvement, protection and usage of the environment of Lake Boyukshor.

The project of restoration of the lake’s environment is implemented in two phases. The first phase that included construction of a 1.570m-long dam to divide the lake into two parts, will be completed by May.

The main construction work under the second phase has already been completed, and the phase will end by 2020.

Moreover, the presidential couple reviewed the progress made in the construction of roads and transportation infrastructures around the Baku Olympic Stadium.

Transport Minister Ziya Mammadov said the construction of the first section of Hasan Aliyev Street-Ziya Bunyadov Avenue-Olympic Stadium road continued on schedule, with a lot of the work already accomplished.

The 1-kilometer long second road features 2-6 lanes. Three bridges were built along the road, two of which are 205 and 176 meters in length. The third bridge, reserved for pedestrians, is 143 meters in length. There are also 900 meters-long pedestrian passage and two tunnels there.