Baku 2015 Flame tours European Games venues

/By AzerNews/

By Nigar Orujova

The European Games torch continued its journey around the city on the second day of the “Flame in Baku” events.

Having arrived in the city on June 7 and received by President Ilham Aliyev, the next day, the Baku 2015 Flame toured nine of eighteen venues of the Baku 2015 European Games as part of the ongoing Baku leg of the Journey of the Flame.

The Flame began its journey at the BMX Velopark, carried by torchbearer Balash Gasimov, the winner of the Intellectual Games. It continued to the Baku Aquatics Center, carried in the pool by Tatyana Nikitina, a member of the Azerbaijani Synchronized Swimming team.

The Baku Aquatics Center is one of the most modern water sports centers not only the continent, but also the world. All the conditions to hold the competition at a high level was created here. The sports arena, which was opened this April, can gather more than 6,000 people.

At the Basketball Arena, the Torch was carried by Elkhan Aliyev, an Azerbaijani veteran of sport, before being passed to Seymour Orujov, head of the New Azerbaijan Party's Youth Association, at the Mountain Bike Velopark.

On the beach in Bilgah, that will host triathlon, a torch was carried by Celebrity Ambassador of the European Games Tahir Imanov. Azerbaijan will be presented by three athletes in triathlon that is gaining popularity in the country.

Two-time Olympic medalist, World champion and European champion Mariya Stadnik brought the torch in the Sports Palace named after Heydar Aliyev.

Carrying the torch around the arena, Sports Ambassador of the European Games Stadnik said: "I am happy that I am a torchbearer of the grand sporting competition. I am also a Sports Ambassador and a member of the first European Games. I really want to win the title of champion of the first European Games. I strongly prepare for the competitions and I am nervous as much as at the Olympic Games. I hope to please my fans with a victory."

The next stop of the torch was the National Gymnastics Arena. Two-time champion of Azerbaijan in rhythmic gymnastics, bronze medalist of the European championship Marina Durunda showed an amazing performance with the torch.

Sharing her joy Durunda said: "I am honored to be a torchbearer of such a grand event. The first European Games is a very important event in the sports history of Azerbaijan. I am preparing for the Games for a long time. We will fight to represent our country at the high level."

Following, the torch was brought to the Republican Stadium named after Tofig Bahramov. Here the competition in archery will be held on June 16-22, which will gather 128 athletes.

Torchbearer at the stadium was chairman of the National Council of Youth Organizations of Azerbaijan Shahin Seyidzade.

Then, the torch was taken to Baku Crystal Hall, the venue for volleyball, boxing, fencing, taekwondo and karate competitions. Here, the torch was brought by bronze medalist of the Olympic Games 2012, two-time World and European champion, boxer Magomedrasul Majidov.

"I am proud to experience such great moments,” he said. “The first ever European Games will be a serious test for me. I am strongly preparing for the competition and I hope to please our people with successful performance at Baku 2015.”

The Journey of the Torch will last until June 11 to finally arrive to the National Olympic Stadium on the opening ceremony on June 12.