The 2015 European Games, the first in the history of the European continent, have started in Baku today. The opening ceremony of the Games will take place at 21:00 (19:00 MSK) at the Baku Olympic Stadium. The opening will be attended by heads of state and representatives of governments, the ceremony will be broadcast live in many countries.
Throughout the first days of the European Games, official mascots Jeyran the Gazelle and Nar the Pomegranate, which are the symbols of the beautiful nature of Azerbaijan, will entertain participants and spectators at sporting arenas.
Well-known sports and political figures of Russia told Vestnik Kavkaza what they expect from the First European Games.
"I have a very good impressions of Baku. It's not my first time here. I've been at all the sports facilities in the Olympic Village. I think that the Games will be held at the highest level," the Russian Olympic Committee’s president, Alexander Zhukov, said. He also said that it is not possible to compare the Olympic villages in Sochi and Baku, because they are quite different.
Speaking of expectations, the head of the Olympic committee said that Russia has presented a very strong team that can fight, but athletes from other countries can compete with it. "The European Games in Baku are the first, but I am sure that many states also will want to host them," the head of the ROC concluded.
"I like Baku so much. I was here in 1980 the last time. Well done! The sports facilities are fantastic, the people are good-natured, well done!" Russian Minister of Sports, Vitaly Mutko, said.
"Baku looks brilliant. We are very pleased that the First European Games are held in this famous city. I have been connected with Baku for many decades. On behalf of my delegation I want to welcome you and wish you success. I was viewing your sports Facilities – they comply with all the international standards, and your promenade is one of the best in the world," Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov said.
"I think that, in the first place, the First European Games will bring new results, new records to the world of sports, new stars will appear. Athletes will gain experience, because every competition at this level for an athlete is a big exam. Secondly, Europe has received new competitions, which are very important, especially in those sports where candidates are selected for the Olympic Games. Thirdly, people will get to know about Baku, because it is such a nice friendly country, which has built great stadiums," the President of the Russian Ice Hockey Federation, Vladislav Tretiak, said.
As for the negative attitude of the West to such events in Azerbaijan, Russia, Asia, Africa, Tretiak said that maybe it is due to envy, but it is better for everyone if there are more places where you can hold competitions, because everyone will be in equal conditions.
"Thank you for such a holiday, Baku! I was here in Soviet times, so I can compare it. My impressions are very good," three-time Olympic champion, ten-time world champion, a member of the Russian parliament, a member of the Duma Committee on CIS Affairs and Relations with Compatriots, Irina Rodnina, said.
"It's not my first time in Baku. And, frankly, I'm still surprised at such a high professional level of our Azerbaijani colleagues. I think that the faster Baku is developing itself, the faster television and journalism are developing," Russian TV presenter, journalist and actress, Marina Kim, said.
The 2015 European Games will take place on June 12-28, 2015. There will be a total of 20 sports at Baku 2015: 16 Olympic sports and four non-Olympic sports. More than 6000 athletes from across Europe will be representing their nations over 17 days of competition.
