Baku tournament in 2015 seen as important step to host Olympics
By Nigar Orujova
Azerbaijan considers holding the first European Games in its capital, Baku, in June 2015 as an important step to hold grand Olympic Games in the future, Youth and Sports Minister Azad Rahimov said on September 25.
A workshop organized by the French embassy and dedicated to the preparations for the first European Games was held in Baku on the same day.
"These Games will give the country's youth positive energy," Rahimov said.
He said such an event can contribute to the fight against drug and alcohol abuse among young people.
Speaking about the sports infrastructure in Azerbaijan, Rahimov said that along with new complexes, the existing sports facilities will be used during the Games.
"We will use the existing sports facilities, playgrounds and arenas during the Games. However, I would like to note that we started the construction of new sports complexes before gaining the right to host the European Olympic Games," he said.
Rahimov said that along with hotels, temporary housing will be created for tourists in Baku.
It is planned to build hostels to accommodate visitors and relevant proposals are ready, he said.
Rahimov noted that such hostels consist of lightweight structures and are built quickly.
Addressing the event, French Ambassador to Azerbaijan Pascal Meunier said France was making special preparations for the Baku Games.
According to Meunier, UEFA President Michel Platini is expected to attend the opening of the Olympic Stadium in Baku.
Meunier said he has witnessed rapid development of Baku during his tenure in Azerbaijan.
"We are confident that Baku will successfully cope with the status of the host of European Olympic Games. Azerbaijan is a very ambitious country. At the same time, Azerbaijan is a Caspian region state, which is stable. Representatives of various nationalities live here, and the country has a long tradition of hospitality," Meunier said.
Meunier said Azerbaijan has successfully conducted the Eurovision song contest, but the European Games are a much more important event.
Meunier also noted the challenges awaiting their solution such as traffic jams.
Azerbaijan is developing its infrastructure for the Games, reconstructing and expanding access and road links to the new Olympic stadium.
The Olympic stadium, which is expected to be built by the end of February 2015, will comprise four areas, including two upper zones with six-storey stands and two bottom ones with three-storey stands, a car park with 3,500 to 4,000 parking spaces, as well as 68,700 seats for spectators.
Olympic Village will operate near the main facilities intended for holding the Games -- the Olympic Stadium and Water Sports Center.
Construction, modernization and reconstruction of all major highways in Azerbaijan is expected to be completed in 2015.