Vitaly Mutko: I am delighted with the First European Games

‘‘The First European Games were held in Baku at the highest level, at the level of the Olympic Games. So the European Games have serious prospects for the future,’’ Russian Minister of Sport Vitaly Mutko said in an interview with Vestnik Kavkaza.

"I have a very strong and good impression of the Games. Firstly, I liked the organization, infrastructure, and hospitality of the people. I'm delighted with it and I want to congratulate them. They are our friends and colleagues. We have good and friendly relations with them. We provided them all possible assistance and support," he said. 

Moreover, according to Mutko, the organizers of the First European Games have raised the qualification standard for the next competitions. ‘’The Games were held at the highest level. I would say at the level of the Olympic Games. Maybe it even frightened potential organizers, as today there are no applications. I think that these games have a good future,’’ said the head of the Ministry of Sports.

According to his opinion, there is only one detail that should be taken into account at the time of preparing for the next European Games. "The only difficulty is the calendar of the competition. Athletes cannot participate in the European Games, and perform at the Universiade a week later. Athletes must have a precise schedule.

"Thus, in determining the date of the Games we should take into account the interests of everyone: the organizers, who need to earn money, the athletes, as well as the states that provide the athletes with all the necessary conditions," the minister concluded.