Georgi Saralidze: "Baku gave a start to European Games"

Vesti FM is planning to illuminate the First European Games in Baku in collaboration with the information-analytical agency Vestnik Kavkaza, according to the agreement, talking about the most interesting and significant episodes of continental competitions. A creative producer and host of Vesti FM, Giorgi Saralidze, spoke about the media coverage of the European Games in general.

- Giorgi, how widely is the station planning to cover the First European Games in Baku, to which special emphasis will be given?

- We will cover the Games quite widely, because there will be representatives of our radio station and of the VGTRK holding. In addition, we have an agreement with Vestnik Kavkaza that we will communicate when there will be something important in sports terms with the correspondents of the agency who will work there at the various events and almost all the competitions. That is the operational communications and direct incorporation into the network of our radio station. Of course, the opening and closing of the First European Games will be covered differently, as always happens at such events. But we will talk about everything interesting on air.

- Did you plan any interviews with the organizers of First European Games in Baku?

- We are just looking forward to our colleagues from Vestnik Kavkaza and we hope that it will be possible to do it live. It would be really nice, because our radio has a news format, almost every hour on air is live, so if it will be possible from a technical point of view, we will publish.

- Representatives of which countries, apart for Russia, will be in the focus of Vesti FM?

- It depends on the results they will show. If there will be any sensational victories or, on the contrary, defeats, dramatic events on the sports field, then we will talk about it. In general, this is sport, it is hard to program something, so we'll just follow what is happening. Of course, it is nice when the representatives of your country win, but, after all, sport is supranational and suprapolitical, so in this case the main thing in the coverage of the Games is the sport itself.

- What is the meaning of the First European Games for world sport?

- Since the middle of the last century such games have been held in Asia, Latin America, there is also something like this in Africa, but Europe was the only part of the world where there was no such competition. This is a very interesting experiment from a sports point of view, so we need to see what this could lead to. If Europe receives these Games and they will be held on a regular basis in the future, it's really great – and, of course, we should stress the role of Azerbaijan, thanks to which not only the Games took place, but this ambitious project was launched. The goodwill of this country and its leadership has given a start to the European Games. We should remember it.

- How, in your opinion, is the media covering the European Games?

- This is an interesting, innovative event in the world of sport, it is a completely new event in an already well-established schedule of international competitions, so it should definitely attract attention. We can see it on the international channels – CNN, BBC, Euronews, not only in Russia. The interest in this event in the West is great, another thing is that very often the media use it as a pretext for attacks on Azerbaijan, despite the fact that the European Olympic Committee and international sports organizations are delighted with the preparations carried out by Azerbaijan, and how Baku treats the athletes and countries participating in the competition. We have seen this political aspect before the Olympics in Sochi and now we see it in the relationship with FIFA, this is kind of a trend – the use of sports in politics.

- How big is the audience of the First European Games?

- This is exactly an event for Azerbaijan, and those who have an opportunity to be present at the international competition will come to see the Games, it's a unique chance for the locals. Azerbaijan also does a lot to attract tourists to the country, using completely different tools, so a lot of viewers will enjoy the Games. Especially because Baku already held Eurovision-2012, and many people got an idea about Azerbaijan, its unique features, including the political, the beauty of Baku, which will hold all the competitions of the First European Games. Well, thanks to the television and the media even more people will watch the Games at home.

- What do your colleagues think about the conditions provided by the organizers for the media coverage of the First European Games?

- My colleagues say that it is absolutely stunning. We have everything for our work, including work online. There are no problems with the internet or technical connections, which is important for professionals. Anyway, all my colleagues are very satisfied.