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ARMENIA WILL BE AMONG 50 COUNTRIES COMPETING AT EUROPEAN GAMES, HICKEY PROMISES AGAIN
Insidethegames.biz
Feb 6 2015
Friday, 06 February 2015
by Duncan Mackay at the Fairmont Hotel in Baku
Armenia will compete in the first-ever European Games here later this
year, despite the continuing conflict between them and Azerbaijan,
it was claimed here today.
Patrick Hickey, President of the European Olympic Committees (EOC),
revealed that he expected all the countries eligible to compete in
the Games, due to take place between June 12 and 28, would travel to
the Azerbaijani capital.
"We will have 50 NOCs (National Olympic Committees) competing in
the European Games," he said at the end of the fifth and final EOC
Coordination Commission.
"No-one will be excluded and we are very happy with that situation."
Hickey has always claimed he is confident Armenia will take part
in the Games but once again had to offer reassurances against the
backdrop of the on-going conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia over
the Nagorno-Karabakh region, which both countries claim ownership over.
The mountainous region is inhabited almost mainly by ethnic Armenians
but is located within Azerbaijan's internationally recognised borders.
Armenian armed forces have broken the ceasefire with Azerbaijan 85
times in numerous positions in the last 24 hours, the Azerbaijani
Defence Ministry claimed yesterday, leading to the Russian Government
to urge both countries to find a solution to the problem.
A dispute over Nagorno-Karabakh had left Armenia's participation
at the first-ever European Games in doubt but both they and the EOC
claim they will take part ©Getty Images
Last week it was announced that Azerbaijan planned to stay away from
the World Chess Team Championships due to be held in Armenian city
Tsakhkadzor in April.
But Armenia does not have any plans to retaliate by staying away from
the European Games after the safety of its athletes was guaranteed,
the country's Sports Minister Gabriel Ghazaryan has claimed.
Azad Rahimov, Azerbaijan's Minister of Youth and Sport and chief
executive of Baku 2015, is also keen for the event not to be
overshadowed by any disputes.
"We will spare no effort in ensuring that the first European Games are
an inspirational celebration and friendship for the whole continent,"
he said.
There was praise for the Baku 2015 preparations from the EOC
Coordination Commission at the end of its fifth and final visit
©Baku 2015
The Armenia question is seemingly the only thing overshadowing final
preparations for an event due to feature more than 6,000 athletes
competing in 31 disciplines in 20 sports.
"This EOC visit to Baku ahead of the first European Games has confirmed
that the city is fully prepared to host an unforgettable event,"
said Hickey.
"To have achieved so much in two years is a testament to Azerbaijan's
dedication to hosting the Games, and Europe's athletes and sports
fans will be delighted with the high-standard of venues and facilities
which await them.
"We are very happy with all the facilities that we have seen, and I
know it well, because I have been here regularly.
"But for my colleagues who have not been here in two-three months -
they were quite astounded."
"Baku 2015 will be the perfect launch-pad for the European Games.
"The baby is doing well and waiting to be baptized on June 12."
http://www.insidethegames.biz/major-games/european-games/baku-2015/1025389-armenia-will-be-among-50-countries-competing-at-european-games-hickey-promises-again
From: A. Papazian
Insidethegames.biz
Feb 6 2015
Friday, 06 February 2015
by Duncan Mackay at the Fairmont Hotel in Baku
Armenia will compete in the first-ever European Games here later this
year, despite the continuing conflict between them and Azerbaijan,
it was claimed here today.
Patrick Hickey, President of the European Olympic Committees (EOC),
revealed that he expected all the countries eligible to compete in
the Games, due to take place between June 12 and 28, would travel to
the Azerbaijani capital.
"We will have 50 NOCs (National Olympic Committees) competing in
the European Games," he said at the end of the fifth and final EOC
Coordination Commission.
"No-one will be excluded and we are very happy with that situation."
Hickey has always claimed he is confident Armenia will take part
in the Games but once again had to offer reassurances against the
backdrop of the on-going conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia over
the Nagorno-Karabakh region, which both countries claim ownership over.
The mountainous region is inhabited almost mainly by ethnic Armenians
but is located within Azerbaijan's internationally recognised borders.
Armenian armed forces have broken the ceasefire with Azerbaijan 85
times in numerous positions in the last 24 hours, the Azerbaijani
Defence Ministry claimed yesterday, leading to the Russian Government
to urge both countries to find a solution to the problem.
A dispute over Nagorno-Karabakh had left Armenia's participation
at the first-ever European Games in doubt but both they and the EOC
claim they will take part ©Getty Images
Last week it was announced that Azerbaijan planned to stay away from
the World Chess Team Championships due to be held in Armenian city
Tsakhkadzor in April.
But Armenia does not have any plans to retaliate by staying away from
the European Games after the safety of its athletes was guaranteed,
the country's Sports Minister Gabriel Ghazaryan has claimed.
Azad Rahimov, Azerbaijan's Minister of Youth and Sport and chief
executive of Baku 2015, is also keen for the event not to be
overshadowed by any disputes.
"We will spare no effort in ensuring that the first European Games are
an inspirational celebration and friendship for the whole continent,"
he said.
There was praise for the Baku 2015 preparations from the EOC
Coordination Commission at the end of its fifth and final visit
©Baku 2015
The Armenia question is seemingly the only thing overshadowing final
preparations for an event due to feature more than 6,000 athletes
competing in 31 disciplines in 20 sports.
"This EOC visit to Baku ahead of the first European Games has confirmed
that the city is fully prepared to host an unforgettable event,"
said Hickey.
"To have achieved so much in two years is a testament to Azerbaijan's
dedication to hosting the Games, and Europe's athletes and sports
fans will be delighted with the high-standard of venues and facilities
which await them.
"We are very happy with all the facilities that we have seen, and I
know it well, because I have been here regularly.
"But for my colleagues who have not been here in two-three months -
they were quite astounded."
"Baku 2015 will be the perfect launch-pad for the European Games.
"The baby is doing well and waiting to be baptized on June 12."
http://www.insidethegames.biz/major-games/european-games/baku-2015/1025389-armenia-will-be-among-50-countries-competing-at-european-games-hickey-promises-again
From: A. Papazian