Today the spectators of the Baku 2015 European Games have become ‘‘witnesses of a celebration of gymnastics, beauty and justice,’’ vice president of the Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation Altay Hasanov noted in conversation with a correspondent of Vestnik Kavkaza.
The Azerbaijani athlete Oleg Stepko won the first gold medal in gymnastics for his team and the country. It was a triumph of the competitions which are taking place in Baku.
‘‘After the Olympic Games in London, President of Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation Mehriban Aliyeva requested us to develop gymnastics. Our country has its own sporting traditions, but the period of perestroika and the first years of independence negatively influenced gymnastics, that is why we were mainly engaged in artistic gymnastics,’’ Hasanov noted.
"We have made efforts in order to create a new team. Over a year ago we started working with these athletes: Oleg Stepko, Peter Pahnyukom and Eldar Safarov. Now you can see the results," the vice-president of the Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation said.
According to him, "the results are fantastic. Frankly speaking, it is a surprise for us, because in such a short period of time we managed to achieve good results. The emotions are overwhelming!’’
‘‘But the most important thing is that the Azerbaijani anthem was performed in honor of the winner of the gold medal here, at this arena of gymnastics, which was built by the state and put into operation at the beginning of 2014," Hasanov pointed out.
In conclusion, he wished everybody success, joy, happiness, and "more of the same achievements."
