Dutch team reaches 120 athletes for European Games
Dutch officials have said they are pleased with the group of 120 athletes chosen thus far for the inaugural European Games in Baku this June.
The Netherlands Olympic body NOC*NSF increased its team for the Baku 2015 to 120 athletes and the country's leaders say they are pleased with the group of sportsmen and -women put together , AzerTac state news agency reported.
Among the latest additions to the Dutch team for Baku 2015 are Table Tennis veterans Li Jie and Li Jiao as well as five artistic gymnasts.
Li Jie is currently ranked number 20 in the world and competed at the Beijing 2008 Olympics. The 42-year-old Li Jiao meanwhile is ranked 34th in the world and is a five-time world champion, with singles titles in 2007 and 2011 to her name. Britt Eerland was also chosen for the Dutch Table Tennis team in Azerbaijan.
The Artistic Gymnastics team features the women's trio of London 2012 Olympian Céline van Gerner as well as Lisa Top and Lieke Wevers. Karl Kosztka and Casimir Schmidt will make up two-thirds of the men's team with the third spot to be filled at a later date.
The Dutch team will compete in 24 disciplines in 17 sports. The Dutch Chef de Mission Mr. Jeroen Bijl said he was very pleased with the team.
“When we started a year and a half ago, there were things unclear about the program and the strength of the team. Now it appears that many Dutch athletes take it very seriously,” Mr. Bijl said.
“We have had, as always when we’re sending out a team, high demands on participation. A large group has met the requirements,” he added.
The innovative sport event in Azerbaijan’s capital Baku will gather 6,000 athletes from 50 countries to compete in 20 sports.
Tickets for Baku 2015 can be purchased directly from 11 conveniently located ticket outlets around Baku, including Park Bulvar, 28 Mall, and Metro Park Baku, and online at www.baku2015.com/tickets.
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