Baku Games 2015 presented in Antalya
By Nigar Orujova
A presentation of Baku 2015 inaugural European Games by Azerbaijan's youth and sport Minister was made in Antalya, Turkey.
Minister Azad Rahimov highlighted the Azerbaijani government's work on developing sport in the country.
He also spoke about the preparations for the Games carried out by the Organizing Committee led by Azerbaijan's first lady and president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva.
"This will be the first continental multi-sport event in the European history. The rapid pace of construction in Baku and the creation of new infrastructure clearly demonstrate that the Azerbaijan's capital will be completely ready to welcome European athletes," Rahimov stressed.
Azerbaijan is determined to hold these Games in compliance with the Summer Olympic Games standards, and its sports infrastructure will help organize the Games without a hitch, he said.
More than 6,000 athletes from 49 countries would compete at the Games, and eight sports in the program of Baku 2015 Games were qualifying events for the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games.
The Baku Games will feature the competition of visually-impaired judo fighters among other sports.
Rahimov touched upon the Baku meetings of the Executive Committee of the European Olympic Committees, saying, "we discussed a wide range of issues, including sports infrastructure, accommodation of athletes, transportation, communications, media, healthcare, and doping".
Most of the infrastructure in Baku would be ready by the end of 2014, he said. "Only the Olympic Stadium and Water Sports Palace will be commissioned early next year."
Referring to the Games' logo, he said it brings together five core elements that have shaped Azerbaijan's ancient and contemporary culture and aspirations. "They include a carpet, flame, wave, pomegranate and simurgh (phoenix), a mythical flying creature."
The logo also appears on the front of the shirts of Spanish football club Atletico Madrid.
The program of Baku Games features a total of 19 sports which will take place from June 12-28, and include aquatics, archery, athletics, badminton, basketball 3x3, beach soccer, boxing, canoe sprint, cycling, fencing, gymnastics, judo, karate, shooting, table tennis, taekwondo, triathlon, volleyball, and wrestling.
Only the canoe sprint competition will take place outside Baku - at Kur sports complex in Mingachevir city.
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