EOC President Pat Hickey says “The European Games have been talked about for decades. The EOC has decided that now is the time for Europe to have its continental Games.So, for the benefit of the athletes of Europe we are very pleased to welcome everyone to the first European Games in June of 2015 in the vibrant and beautiful seaside city of Baku, Azerbaijan.These games will reflect the energy and unity of Europe and bring new and meaningful competitions to our athletes as well as bind the European NOCs together with one common goal.”
Click here to see the EOC President discuss the Games http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXNl5ApavCI
The European Games
The European Games is a multi-sport event for athletes from all over Europe and is held every four years. The Games are owned, organised and regulated by the European Olympic Committees.
The European Games were created at the General Assembly of the European Olympic Committees on December 9th 2012 in Rome, Italy, when 84% of the National Olympic Committees of Europe voted for the creation of the European Games.
Dates of the European Games
The first edition of the European Games will take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, in June 2015.
The Opening Ceremony is planned to take place on Friday June 12th and the closing ceremony on Sunday June 28th 2015.
Already a number of cities have expressed their interest in hosting the second edition of the European Games in 2019.
The European Olympic Committees is setting up a working group to coordinate the bidding process for the 2019 European Games.
Number of Athletes
It is expected that between 5000 and 6000 athletes will compete in the first European Games. Athletes will be selected and managed by their respective National Olympic Committee (NOC).
Sports Programme
Since the Games have become a reality, there has been an overwhelming desire for sports to be part of the first edition in 2015.
This has led to a challenging process within the European Olympic Committees to decide the Sports Programme for the first European Games.
However, so far 18 sports have been confirmed and have signed up to be part of the European Games in 2015, with another 10 sports on a waiting list for the next edition in 2019.
The 18 sports confirmed so far are the following:
• Archery
• Aquatics
• Badminton
• Basketball 3×3
• Boxing
• Canoe & Kayak
• Cycling
• Fencing
• Football
• Gymnastics
• Judo
• Karate
• Shooting
• Table Tennis
• Taekwondo
• Triathlon
• Volleyball
• Wrestling
Governance
Under the leadership of EOC President Patrick Hickey, an EOC Coordination Commission has been established to oversee the organisation of the first European Games.
Role of the Coordination Commission
To monitor and assist the Organising Committees for the European Games.
To manage and implement the working relationships between the OC, the IFs (EFs) & the NOCs.
The Coordination Commission reports to the EOC Executive Committee through its Chairman
The Coordination Commission:
• ensures that the Host City Contract is followed and applied;
• monitors the progress of the OC;
• assists the OC to deliver a successful European Games;
• approves the levels of service proposed by the OC for different stakeholders.
Organising Committee
Under the leadership of the President of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev, who is also the President of the Azerbaijan National Olympic Committee, a very high quality Organising Committee has been established in Baku.
The Organising Committee is chaired by the first lady of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva and under her direction the Baku European Games Organising Company (BEGOC) has been established.
The CEO of the company is the Minister for Youth and Sport Mr. Azad Rahimov and the Chief Operating Officer is Jim Scheer.
The Games Operational Directors are being recruited and will be announced over the Summer of 2013.
Website
The European Games website http://www.baku2015.com/en/
