EOC praises progress of Baku 2015 European Games
By Nigar Orujova
European Olympic Committees (EOC) Coordination Commission has praised the progress of Baku 2015 European Games during its visit to the host city of next year's inaugural event.
Members of the Commission toured competition got briefed on developments made so far by a number of Baku 2015 European Games Operations Committee (BEGOC) directorates.
They also attended a ceremony at the new Baku 2015 headquarters, where Azerbaijan's Youth and Sports Minister and BEGOC Chief Executive Officer Azad Rahimov formally cut the ribbon to declare the office opening.
Chairman of the EOC Coordination Commission Spyros Capralos was impressed by progress made in recent months by the BEGOC team following a number of key updates.
"There is a fantastic team here in Baku and this visit has given us an opportunity to meet many of the new members of staff who are all working hard to make the inaugural European Games a world-class event," he said.
"Significant works have been carried out over the past one year and half and the continued efforts to innovate, particularly with regards the sports program are very impressive.
"The European Games will make history for European sport and it is vital that BEGOC continues its excellent progress in preparing for Europe's first continental multi-sport Games. I have no doubt it will be an event that will live long in the memory of European sports fans," Capralos stressed.
Azad Rahimov added: "We can sense the growing level of excitement and anticipation here in Baku. We are confident that each and every venue at next year's Games will host enthusiastic fans enjoying the experience of elite European sport.
The European Games represent not only a new era of sporting competition, but also of friendship for the entire continent, he added.
Senior members of the Baku 2015 team were on hand to inform the Coordination Commission of the developments on issues including ticketing, commercial sponsorship, broadcast agreements and the sports programme.
Chief Operating Officer of Baku 2015 Simon Clegg said: "Hosting the Coordination Commission here in Baku has once again given us the opportunity to update them on the significant progress we have made since their last visit."
"With just 281 days until the Opening Ceremony of the European Games, I am confident that we have the skilled team and ability to deliver an event that will live up to the expectations of the European Olympic Committees and unite Europe in sport," Clegg said.
The final EOC Coordination Commission will take place in February 2015.
Baku 2015 will be the first European Games, an exciting and innovative new multi-sport event for the continent, which will take place in June 12-28, 2015.
There will be a total of 20 sports at Baku 2015: 16 Olympic sports and three non-Olympic sports. More than 6,000 athletes are expected to represent their nations during the 17 days of competition.