Russia is grateful to Baku for the inclusion of sambo in the European Games program

By Vestnik Kavkaza

The final list of athletes included in the Russian national team at the first European Games in Baku will be formed in mid-May. Now 94% of Russian athletes have already passed the selection. 360 athletes have been included on the preliminary list of the Russian team, including gymnast Aliya Mustafina, judoka Mansur Isaev, as well as leading wrestlers, boxers, shooters and masters of Taekwondo. As the president of the Russian Olympic Committee Alexander Zhukov thinks, the European Olympic Committee took one of its most important and correct decisions in its history, because Europe needed its own games, just like there are American games in the Americas, and just like in Asia.

"It's great that the first European Games were given to the magnificent city of Baku. This is not just a beautiful city, this is a true sports town. There are stunning new stadiums, there is a great Olympic village. I have been to many contests, but this Olympic village produces a tremendous impression. The stadiums on the waterfront, the new stadium, in which the opening will be held - all sports facilities are of the highest class. So I have no doubt that Azerbaijan will hold these games brilliantly," Zhukov said.

According to him, Russia is very serious about the upcoming competition, and intends to send the strongest athletes. "I think these games will be a real celebration of sport. We recently held the Olympic Games in Sochi, and we know what a huge leap in the development of sport such major events provide. The number of participants in the Games in Baku will be even greater than at the Winter Olympics. 360 athletes will be in our team, some of them will be fighting for the right to obtain Olympic licenses, the right to participate in Rio de Janeiro," Zhukov claimed.

He expressed his gratitude to Baku for the inclusion of sambo in the program of the Games by the organizers. "This sport is very important for us. I am sure that sambo will show itself in these games and we will step in to promote sambo in the Olympic program," Zhukov said.

But he recalled that Russian athletes have a tradition - to make a house for the Russian team at international events. "We want to build a house for the Russian team in Baku, where our joint history of the sport will be presented. Glorious pages from the history of Soviet sport, and with the participation of Azerbaijani sportsmen. I think it will be very interesting for the residents of Baku and for all those who come to these games - for foreign tourists, fans and, of course, for the fans of our Russian team," Zhukov claimed.

He expressed confidence that Azerbaijan will cope with the task of holding the Games brilliantly and promised, as a part of Russian Olympic Committee, to do anything for the Games to be remembered in terms of outstanding athletic performance and a friendly, truly festive atmosphere of sport.