Azernews.Az

By Amina Nazarli

As 2016 approaches, Azerbaijani athletes are marking the New Year having achieved a number of significant results during this year.

The national athletes have showed brilliant performances in both domestic and international competitions, winning 823 medals in 2015.

Youth and Sports Minister Azad Rahimov said some 321 of the medals are gold, 222 are silver and 280 are bronze.

Addressing the press conference dedicated to the results of 2015, the minister added that the national athletes claimed 297 medals on Olympic sports and 526 medals were secured on non-Olympic sports.

2015 can truly be called “sports year” for Azerbaijan since the country has hosted many international competitions, including the inaugural European Games in June and FIDE World Chess Cup in September.

The innovative multi-sport event, Baku 2015 which featured more than 6,000 strong European athletes from 50 countries, became the gigantic project for the young country, which was able to cope with the organization in the short term.

Azerbaijan with 285 athletes did great job at the Games, grabbing 56 medals and taking second place in the overall ranking.

Now, the national athletes are preparing for the most important competition of 2016-- Rio Summer Olympics in Brazil.

Azerbaijan has already secured 11 qualifications in wrestling, two in gymnastics, four in rowing and 11 licenses in Paralympics sports, three in boxing, one in taekwondo and etc.

Next year the country will welcome Formula 1 race and World Chess Olympiad, the preparations for which run at the highest level.

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Amina Nazarli is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli

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