(ATR) Organizers of the first European Games deliver assurances that they’ll be ready in Baku come June 2015.
January 28 marks 500 days to the games, awarded just over a year ago to the capital of Azerbaijan. Despite the short timeframe, Baku organizers say they are on track, thanks to existing venues and ones already under construction when Baku was awarded the event by the European Olympic Committees.
The first edition of the European Games will include 5,400 athletes from the 49 nations in the EOC. So far, the program includes 18 sports. In seven sports, the games will be part of qualifying for the 2016 Olympics: cycling, shooting, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, triathlon, and beach volleyball. It is possible that more sports could join that list
This week, national Olympic committees in Europe will receive information from Baku about sports qualification for the games.
"I wish Baku well as it enters the final 500 days of Games preparations, and I am confident that Baku will stage a high quality sporting event that will make Europe proud," says European Olympic Committees president Patrick Hickey in a statement.
Azerbaijan minister of youth and sports Azad Rahimov says the work underway will yield legacies for the city and the country.
"The large scale building projects for the Games will provide benefits for our cities, communities, and young people for decades to come – from the new airport to the 13 transport upgrades to boost the underground and bus systems, while the new world-class venues will inspire more young people to participate in sport and provide a new home for sport in Europe," he said.
Chief operating officer Jim Scherr says, "Good progress is being made and momentum is continuing to build." He says there is a possibility that some will be ready for test events as early as this year.
"There is a great deal that still needs to be done during the next 500 days to fulfill our responsibilities to the European Olympic Committees, the people of Azerbaijan, and the athletes of Europe, but we are pleased with our progress to date," said Scherr.
Written by Ed Hula
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