Baku to host first European Olympics in 2015
By Nigar Orujova
Azerbaijani capital Baku will host the first-ever European Olympic Games in 2015, in accordance with a decision taken by the 41st General Assembly of the European Olympic Committees (EOC) in Rome last Saturday.
President Ilham Aliyev congratulated the Azerbaijani people on this occasion, AzerTac state news agency reported.
"I congratulate all the people of Azerbaijan on this remarkable, historic event. This will be the first European Olympic Games, and the fact that it will take place in Baku is a great, historic event, and, at the same time, outstanding success of our country," President Aliyev said.
Aliyev noted that though only two years are left until the tournament, Azerbaijan will organize this remarkable event on the highest level.
The Azerbaijani leader mentioned several factors which were crucial in choosing Azerbaijan as the host, including the country's international clout, its socio-political stability and economic achievements.
The president spoke of the development of sports in the country and Azerbaijani athletes' outstanding accomplishments.
"Azerbaijan is recognized in the world and in Europe as a sports nation today," he said. "Our successes are measured by the number of medals won in international competitions and complemented by the sports infrastructure created in Azerbaijan and in Baku. If we add to this the world and European championships conducted in Azerbaijan and in Baku we will see that sport is indeed developing very successfully in Azerbaijan."
Baku was selected as host city for the inaugural European Olympic Games in 2015 after the Europe NOCs voted by secret ballot with an overwhelming majority of 38 voting in favor, eight against and two abstaining.
The host city contract was signed shortly afterwards by European Olympic Committees President Patrick Hickey, EOC Secretary General Raffaele Pagnozzi, Azerbaijani Minister of Youth and Sports Azad Rahimov, and Vice President of the Azerbaijan NOC Chingiz Huseynzade.
According to Minister Rahimov, new sports facilities will be constructed in preparation for the Games in Baku, Trend news agency reported.
According to preliminary data, Azerbaijan will receive 120-130 million euros from sponsors, ticket sales and broadcasting rights for the first-ever EOG, Rahimov said.
He added that Azerbaijan has all the broadcasting rights, to be sold to the European Broadcasting Union for at least 40-50 million euros.
Around 20 international sports federations have confirmed their participation at the EOG, Rahimov told media.
"All federations have verbally confirmed their participation," Rahimov added. "We are waiting for a written confirmation and signing of agreements with each of them."
A beach volleyball complex on Baku Boulevard, a seaside park in the city center, is planned to be built before the Games, along with a rugby stadium, a water polo complex and infrastructure for canoe racing, Rahimov added.
Exact dates of the tournament have not yet been scheduled, but the Games will presumably take place in late spring or early summer.
NOC Vice President Huseynzade said that an organizing committee on holding the Games in Baku will be established soon, and the Olympic committee will determine the plans regarding the Olympic Village and other issues.
The NOCs have received assurance that the event will not cost them money, but will bring them financial gains.
Head of the Russian Olympic Committee Alexander Zhukov has expressed support for the European games, Interfax news agency reported.
"The idea of organizing the European games was put forward long ago," he said. "They will certainly give a new impetus to the development of sports on our continent. The Russian Olympic Committee is ready for close cooperation with the Azerbaijan Olympic Committee to ensure successful training and holding of the European games for the first time in history."
The European Olympic Games are intended not to copy the international Olympic Games, but to become an alternative and enlarged sporting event running in parallel with the Pan-American, Pan-Asian and All African Games and supposed to be held every four years. Some 7,000-15,000 sportsmen from the 49 European Olympic Committee member states are expected to take part in the Games.