Baku 2015 European Games destined to be world class event says First Lady of Azerbaijan
EOC inspection team says preparations are on schedule for historic Games
Baku, 4th April 2014: Preparations to host the Baku 2015 European Games are on schedule with the event set to deliver world class venues, sporting action, innovation and a new standard in athlete accommodation, the First Lady of Azerbaijan, Mehriban Aliyeva has confirmed.
The Coordination Commission concluded its two-day visit today having been appraised of the progress made in several key functional areas such as sport, venue locations and construction, transport, finance, communications, accommodation and technology.
“The Government and the people of Azerbaijan are proud that the first European Games will be held in our country. The Baku 2015 European Games will set the standard for the future of European Games,” said the First Lady who is also chair of the Baku 2015 First European Games Organising Committee.
“Construction work including the National Gymnastics Arena, Baku Shooting Centre, the Baku Main Stadium and other construction and renovation work around our existing sports infrastructure continue at pace and we are confident they will be delivered on time and on budget. We have attached particular importance to the creation of the Athletes Village which will be one of the best facilities to accommodate and host athletes in sports history,” she said.
“As Chairman of the EOC Coordination Commission I can confirm that we have been impressed with the state of BEGOC’s preparations on our third visit to Baku. We have had a busy schedule with back-to-back meetings as well as site visits. It has been a very productive two days,” Spyros Capralos said.
“There is just over a year to go before the Opening Ceremony of Baku 2015 so every day is important. But after this inspection, I have complete confidence that BEGOC will continue to be innovative and make good progress and will deliver the perfect stage for the inaugural European Games.”
Mr. Azad Rahimov, Azerbaijan’s Minister for Youth and Sport and the Chief Executive Officer of the Baku European Games Operating Committee said, “Every day of preparation is hugely important as we move towards the delivery of the First European Games. I wish to thank the Coordination Commission for their on-going assistance and expertise and their input and enthusiasm over the last two days. I assured the Commission the Games continues to have the full support of the Azerbaijani government and people of Azerbaijan.”
The two-day visit by the EOC’s 16-member Coordination Commission coincided with the announcement by the EOC that visually-impaired judo would be included as a medal discipline at Baku 2015.
EOC President Patrick Hickey warmly welcomed the announcement that means Baku 2015 European Games will break new ground as the first continental Games to fully integrate a para-sport discipline into its Sports Programme.
Visually-impaired judokas will be able to compete in a +100 kilogramme category for men and a – 48 kilogramme category for women. Eight athletes will compete in each category with the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) deciding who is eligible. The competition format will be a knock-out elimination round, followed by two repechages and a final.
EOC President Patrick Hickey, who is also an IOC Executive Board member, said: “We don’t want the European Games to be a carbon copy of other multi-sport events, we want them to be innovative. Baku 2015 European Games has shown its hand in this regard and I am delighted with the proposal to include visually-impaired judo on the Sports Programme. It is a welcome addition and absolutely in line with the EOC’s vision for the European Games to act as a catalyst for innovation in European sport.”
Janez Kocijancic, EOC Vice President said, “We would like to pass on our congratulations to BEGOC, on all their progress with regards to the preparations for the European Games. We are very pleased with the two days of work conducted here in Baku and we feel that we have once again strengthened our relationship and partnership with BEGOC. We wish them the best of luck in their ongoing endeavours and look forward to the next EOC Coordination Commission visit.
As host of the inaugural European Games we have encouraged BEGOC to use this once in a life time opportunity to promote the wonderful Azerbaijani culture to Europe and the world.”
Jim Scherr, Chief Operating Officer of the Baku 2015 European Games Operating Committee said, “We are pleased with the progress we have demonstrated to the Coordination Commission over the last two days as we develop an athlete focused and innovation led Games. We are aware that we only have 434 days until June 12, 2015 and the Opening Ceremony of the First European Games and look forward to the next stage of our preparations and delivering a successful inaugural European Games.”