Azernews.Az

By Nigar Orujova

The President of the European Olympic Committee praised Azerbaijan's commitment to hosting the first European Games in 2015.

The Azerbaijani government's commitment to hosting the Games in 2015 has been unwavering, and their involvement in the plans is welcomed, Patrick Hickey said at a press conference in Baku on October 29.

Azerbaijan will host the first European Games in its capital in June 12, 2015. The Games will be a multi-sport event for elite athletes from the 49 Olympic nations of Europe and will be held every four years.

According to Hickey, there was great progress with the preparations and the work of the Organizing Committee was carried out according to the schedule.

He stressed that the success of these games would belong to both Azerbaijan and Europe.

Azerbaijani Youth and Sports Minister Azad Rahimov said in turn that great progress was made in a short time.

"We can confidently say that the Olympic Games of 2015 in Baku will play a great role in the history of the world sports," he said.

According to him, the work process showed that all issues would be resolved in a timely manner.

"Some 80-90 percent of the sport equipment will be ready by late 2014. We attach great importance to these games and will try to make them memorable in Azerbaijan's sports history," Rahimov said.

According to him, the facilities that are being built for the Games are for Azerbaijan's future.

"Competitions in different kinds of sport will be held in Baku for the first time; that is to say, the Azerbaijani youth will get to know new kinds of sports, and this will create the necessary conditions for the development of these sports in our country," Rahimov said.

He also stressed that the Olympic Stadium will have a capacity of 65,000 people, and a large swimming complex will be commissioned in February 1, 2015.

Rahimov said Azerbaijan wants to set a new tradition with these games.

"This is the greatest event in Azerbaijan's sports history. Therefore, in addition to the infrastructure, we want to achieve progress in all aspects," he said.