Baku 2015 hosts second diplomatic briefing

/By AzerNews/

By Amina Nazarli

Baku 2015 European Games hosted a second briefing for heads of diplomatic missions accredited to Azerbaijan on February 19.

Senior executives from Baku 2015 made presentations and gave speeches to international representatives on developments in the run-up to the inaugural European Games, and the legacy the event will leave in Azerbaijan.

Azad Rahimov, Azerbaijan Youth and Sports Minister and Chief Executive Officer of Baku 2015, said this second diplomatic briefing allowed Baku 2015 staff to update the diplomatic community on the progress towards the Baku 2015 European Games.

“By hosting the Games, we aim to showcase what Baku has to offer and continue to build our reputation as a modern and dynamic city that is open for business and cultural exchange with visitors from all nations,” he said.

The event was attended by more than 80 delegates from all 68 diplomatic missions in Azerbaijan, plus a number of non-resident representatives, at the Baku 2015 European Games Operations Committee headquarters.

Ruslan Abdullayev, official of the State Protocol Department of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry addressed the group, and Simon Clegg, Chief Operating Officer of Baku 2015, gave an overview of progress towards the European Games.

“It was a pleasure to provide the heads of mission with insight into our ongoing preparations, and outline what to expect during the inaugural European Games,” Clegg said.

“We consider the diplomatic community to be a key stakeholder group, and are looking forward to working together as Baku prepares to receive a larger number of visitors than ever before. We will continue to keep a dialogue open with the missions to ensure as many spectators as possible can enjoy the Games.”

Baku 2015 is the first ever European Games, an exciting and innovative multi-sport event for the continent which will take place from 12 – 28 June 2015.

There will be a total of 20 sports at Baku 2015: 16 Olympic sports and four non-Olympic sports. More than 6,000 athletes from across Europe will be representing their nations over 17 days of competition.

Eleven of the sports will offer qualification opportunities for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Those sports include Archery, Athletics, Boxing, Cycling, Shooting, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Triathlon, Volleyball and Wrestling.

Baku was awarded the Games by the European Olympic Committees (EOC) in December 2012. The Baku European Games Operations Committee (BEGOC) will organise and run the Games in cooperation with the EOC.