Baku 2015 European Games officials attending IOA session
By Nigar Orujova
Baku 2015 European Games executives are in Greece to attend the European Youth Session 2014 to be held at the International Olympic Academy (IOA) in Olympia.
The session, co-organised by the IOA, Baku 2015 European Games Operation Committee (BEGOC) and the Azerbaijan National Olympic Committee includes lectures and workshops focused on promoting the history and values of the Olympic movement.
Baku 2015 Chief Operating Officer, Simon Clegg will present the opening address and brief the guests - including European National Olympic Committee representatives - on progress being made by BEGOC in holding the inaugural European Games.
"Having spent 30 years of my life in the Olympic movement, it is a privilege for me to be here at the birthplace of Olympism to help promote the realization of the first European Games," he said.
"The roots of sport in society today are to be found here in Olympia and I am sure that Azerbaijan will organize an event fitting of the noble ancient traditions, but in a modern, dynamic, innovative and vibrant way which accurately reflects our capital city, Baku," he added.
Clegg also set an innovative challenge for the participants to develop a Baku 2015 promotional strategy. The winner of the challenge would be invited to next year's Games.
During the course of the week, the participants will develop ideas and recommendations to promote the Games and present them to an executive BEGOC panel, which will select the most innovative and inspiring strategy as the winner.
The IOA was established in 1949 and was officially inaugurated in 1961. It aims to spread the Olympic spirit and implement the educational and social principles of Olympism around the world.
Baku 2015 will be the first ever European Games, an exciting and innovative new multi-sport event for the continent that will take place from June 12 until June 28, 2015.
There will be a total of 19 sports at Baku 2015: 16 Olympic sports and three non-Olympic sports. More than 6,000 athletes are expected to represent their nations over the 17 days of competition.
Nine of the sports will offer qualification opportunities for the Rio de Janeiro Summer Olympics in 2016. Those sports include archery, athletics, beach volleyball, cycling, shooting, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo and triathlon.