Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 23
Trend:
The victory achieved by Azerbaijan in the Rio 2016 Olympics is another significant blow to the ugly rumors about Azerbaijan’s success in the Baku 2015 European Games, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said.
He made the remarks Dec. 23 addressing a ceremony dedicated to the sports results of 2016 at the National Olympic Committee of Azerbaijan.
Ilham Aliyev noted that the first European Games held in Baku in 2015 once again demonstrated the level of development of sport in Azerbaijan.
“We have once again demonstrated that we are a powerful state,” Azerbaijan’s president said. “It is really a great victory, a great heroism to take the second place among the European countries in a very intense struggle at these Games.”
“Both you and I remember well that an ugly campaign, held in a centralized manner against Azerbaijan before, during and after the first European Games, was aimed at tarnishing these Games and diminishing our capacities, distorting the victories of our athletes,” he said.
There were allegations that high results of Azerbaijani athletes were somehow related with the fact of Azerbaijan’s holding and hosting the first European Games, Ilham Aliyev added.
The president noted that along with high results in 2015, Azerbaijan’s holding the games was highly appreciated by the international sports community.
“I have attended many Summer Olympics, and I can compare. I want to reiterate that the level of the Games we organized was not below the level of any other Olympic Games. For many parameters, these Games can be an example for Summer Olympic Games. I know that our experience is being learned,” said President Aliyev.
“We achieve big victories in international competitions, world championships, Olympic Games and we can organize any major international competition,” added the president.
He reminded that Azerbaijan had only two years to prepare for the European Games.
In two years Azerbaijan managed to do the work which is done in many years, or even maybe for over 7-8 years, said President Aliyev.
The most modern sports infrastructure was established and upgraded in Baku in connection with the European Games, he noted, adding that today these sports facilities serve Azerbaijani people and athletes.
The newly-built grand Olympic Stadium, Baku Aquatics Center, Shooting Center, other renovated sports facilities meet the highest standards and Azerbaijan can hold any international competition in the future, added President Aliyev.