History in the making
Baku 2015 Elmar Gasimov Azerbaijani judoka, European Judo Championships medalist
ISSUE 3 JANUARY 2015
Especially produced for Baku 2015
History in the making The 1st European Games Issue 3, January 2015
The Crystal Hall, Baku where the volleyball, boxing, karate, taekwondo and fencing will take place during the Baku 2015 European Games.
2
baku2015.com
/baku2015
IN THIS
ISSUE
January 2015
@BakuGames2015
4
Meet Jeyran and Nar, the mascots of Baku 2015
6
First Lady driving the European Games bandwagon
8
Baku 2015 first dedicated test event in mountain biking judged “a huge success”
10
National Olympic Committees back Baku to deliver an outstanding European Games
12
Life’s a Beach at Baku 2015
14
Baku 2015 Chief Executive addresses United Nations General Assembly about European Games
16
Flamekeepers to ensure Baku 2015 shines brightly
18
Serving their country
20
Young, gifted and excited
22
Sponsors and broadcasters sign-up for Baku 2015
Baku2015.com
3
History in the making The 1st European Games Issue 3, January 2015
Meet
Jeyran Nar, and
mascots
the
Baku 2015
of
The unveiling of the mascots for any major sports event is always a landmark occasion. The arrival of Jeyran and Nar, the gazelle and pomegranate, at a special 200 Days To Go celebration for Baku 2015, proved to be particularly memorable, as Paul Osborne discovered. 4
baku2015.com
The mascot for any major sporting event is its heart. The one thing that can connect with the fans, educate the people and excite a nation. Luckily for Baku, the inaugural European Games has been blessed with two hearts - Jeyran and Nar. The gazelle and pomegranate will become global symbols for the very first European Games, reflecting both Azerbaijan’s proud history and promising future. They will act as international representatives for the Games, providing a warm welcome to athletes, officials and visitors to the host city of Baku. The two mascots were designed and brought to life through a collaboration of the Baku 2015 brand team and London-based design agency SomeOne. As strong cultural references of Azerbaijani nature and heritage, they will act as proud symbols of the country across the world. Jeyran, the Azerbaijani word for gazelle, will become the Cultural Ambassador of the Games, offering visitors a glimpse into Azerbaijan’s rich heritage.
/baku2015
From high up in the Caucasus Mountains to the shores of the Caspian Sea, Jeyran is said to enjoy guiding visitors around Azerbaijan and showing them all that the country has to offer. The gazelle, a protected species in Azerbaijan, is a symbol of natural beauty, grace and purity. Nar, the Azerbaijani word for pomegranate, is described as a sun-loving, playful character who grew up outside the city of Goychay. Full of life and energy, and very competitive, Nar loves participating in new sports and will be involved in all sorts of action at the European Games.
@BakuGames2015
The pomegranate symbolises unity in Azerbaijani folklore, and features heavily in the colourful Baku 2015 branding already displayed extensively around the city. The dynamic duo were unveiled at a spectacular light show on Baku’s world famous Maiden Tower to mark 200 days until the European Games begin. Featuring as part of the conclusion to the dramatic showpiece, the two mascots brought delight to the hundreds of admiring fans who had turned out to celebrate the landmark date. As well as educating, exciting and inspiring the younger generation, Jeyran and Nar will become popular with fans at Baku 2015. The Baku 2015 team are currently working on a range of merchandise featuring Jeyran and Nar, which will be available for purchase early in 2015. A wide range of exciting ideas have been put forward on how to bring the mascots to life, including a variety of branded apparel and soft toys for fans of
all ages to enjoy. The mascots will be a constant presence at the Games, appearing at each of Baku’s iconic venues to bring laughter and insight to fans from across the globe. With 20 sports - 16 Olympic and four non-Olympic - set to be featured at the Games, the mascots will help to educate spectators about each, providing insight and information for fans to enjoy the inaugural European Games. Charlie Wijeratna, Baku 2015 Commercial Director, hopes Jeyran and Nar “will become popular across all of Azerbaijan.” “We wanted to help bring the European Games to life in a playful and colourful way,” he says, “and we hope that Jeyran and Nar will become popular as we look forward to hosting Europe’s elite athletes here at Baku 2015. “Jeyran and Nar
are welcome additions to the team here at the first European Games.” One man at the heart of the Baku 2015 European Games, and a figurehead in the development of sport in Azerbaijan, Azad Rahimov, was extremely excited to finally reveal the mascots to the world. The Azerbaijani Minister of Youth and Sport and Chief Executive Officer of Baku 2015 believes the pair will “come to represent the excitement of the European Games” and hopes they “will inspire, excite and entertain a new generation of sports fans in Azerbaijan”.
Baku2015.com
5
History in the making The 1st European Games Issue 3, January 2015
First Lady driving the European Games bandwagon Huge effort has taken place over the last few months to raise the profile of the first European Games, with the First Lady of Azerbaijan, Mehriban Aliyeva, the chair of Baku 2015, leading from the front. Nick Butler reports. Azerbaijan’s First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva has been travelling extensively to promote the inaugural European Games to ensure that the event enjoys the highest profile. As chair of the Baku European Games Organising Committee, the First Lady has engaged in a Baku 2015 presentational campaign, working tirelessly to promote the new showpiece event and also using the opportunity to outline the credentials of Azerbaijan. “After the restoration of our independence, the development of sport has become one of the priorities in our state
6
baku2015.com
policy,” she said during the second of these visits in Athens in September. “Our athletes have participated in the Olympic Games since 1996, and we are proud of the successes we have achieved in a short time. “We have welcomed this decision [to award Baku the European Games] not only with joy, but also with responsibility. Azerbaijan has set a goal to hold the first European Games at the level of the Summer Olympic Games. As the chair of the Operations Committee of the first European Games Baku 2015, I can assure you that we will do our best to hold it at the highest
possible level and to create the necessary conditions for the athletes, officials, as well as for visitors and local citizens.” During her visits overseas, the First Lady has invited all participants to “discover Azerbaijan, an ancient country with a rich culture and history, located at the crossroads of East and West”. As well as being a member of the Executive Committee of the National Olympic Committee of Azerbaijan and President of the Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation, the First Lady is well known for her charity work and philanthropy, having
/baku2015
founded the Heydar Aliyev Foundation to support numerous educational and development projects. It was for this that, on an earlier visit to Athens in June, she was awarded the “Olympic Excellence” Special Honorary Prize by International Olympic Academy President, Isidoros Kuvelos, in recognition of her “contribution to promoting the Olympic values”. The first of five Baku 2015 presentational visits took place in Cannes in July, before others in Athens, Berlin, Istanbul and Paris. At a dinner hosted by Cannes Mayor David Lisnard, and attended by over 300 people, including members of the European Olympic Committees, Aliyeva reiterated the aims and principals of the European Games, before concluding her three-day visit by awarding medals to the winners of a 10 kilometre race along the Promenade de la Croisette. The First Lady’s visit to Athens included a Presentation of Baku 2015 at the Acropolis Museum, an event attended by the President of the Greek Parliament, a Deputy Prime Minister, the Minister of Administrative Reforms, MP’s and representatives of Greek sport. Greek Deputy Minister of Culture Angela Gerekoi talked about the significance of the European Games and said: “This will be a significant event in the whole continent’s life”. Next up was Berlin in October, where an event devoted to the first European Games was held at one of the German capital’s cultural centres in Bode Museum, with guests including the President of the German Olympic and Sports Confederation, Alfons Hörmann. As well as information on the Games, historical ties between Azerbaijan and Germany were praised, as well as the work carried out by the Foundation towards
@BakuGames2015
preserving cultural heritage. In November, she began a busy period with a visit to Istanbul. A message from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his wife Emine was read out at a Ceremony of the Presentation of the Baku 2015 European Games at the Çırağan Palace Kempinski, Istanbul, attended by Turkish Youth and Sports Minister Akif Çağatay Kiliç, who praised Azerbaijan`s achievements in the field of sport. Once again, the First Lady used the visit to promote the sporting extravaganza, but also political unity, claiming Azerbaijan and Turkey “always support” each other and “are the most brotherly countries in the world”. After returning home to attend the opening of the European Olympic Committees General Assembly in Baku, the First Lady visited Paris, where she viewed an exhibition comprised of bronze statues by Azerbaijani sculptors devoted to “Baku 2015”, before another ceremony. As well as the French State Secretary in charge of Sports, Thierry Braillard, this was attended by two-time Olympic judo champion turned National Assembly member David Douillet, who said the European Games, which promote “humanism, peace and such other ideas”, will “improve Azerbaijan’s positive image”. During 2014, the First Lady has also embarked on other state visits, including to China, Vietnam and Italy, with the theme of sport and Baku 2015 invariably a key part of discussions. It can be expected that many similar events will be held over coming months as the European Games bandwagon draws ever louder, with the First Lady remaining as firmly at the helm as ever.
Baku 2015 Promotional visits July 8-13: Visit to Cannes, including a Gala Dinner attended by Mayor David Lisnard. September 27: Ceremony at the Acropolis Museum in Athens attended by leading Greek officials. October 13: Attended function honouring Baku 2015 in Berlin’s Bode Museum. November 18: Visit to Istanbul for a ceremony at Çırağan Palace Kempinski, Istanbul attended by Turkish Youth and Sports Minister Akif Çağatay Kiliç. November 26: Presentation of Baku 2015 European Games in Paris attended by leading French political and sporting figures.
Other European trips undertaken in 2014 February 6-8: Attended the Opening Ceremony of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games, which included an official reception on behalf of Russian President, Vladimir Putin, and a visit to the men’s 5,000m speed skating competition. June 2-3: Visited Italy during which she met Pope Francis and discussed AzerbaijaniVatican relations and projects by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in the country. June 15-16. Visited Greece on a State visit, including being awarded the “Olympic Excellence” Special Honorary Prize during a Ceremony in Athens. September 19: Visited Paris for an “Azerbaijani Festival”, organised by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in Saint Sulpice Square, designed to showcase Azerbaijani culture and history, as well as its tourism capacity. November 21: Attended the official opening of the 43rd European Olympic Committees General Assembly in Baku. November 24: As Heydar Aliyev Foundation President, attended an Inauguration Ceremony in London of an exhibition “Here Today” marking 50 years of the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. December 4: The First Lady attended a wrestling match between Azerbaijan and France which took place at the Cirque du Soleil in Paris. She was joined by the French State Secretary in charge of Sports, Thierry Braillard, and Nenad Lalovic, President of United World Wrestling. Azerbaijan beat their French rivals 9-1.
Baku2015.com
7
History in the making The 1st European Games Issue 3, January 2015
Baku 2015 first dedicated test event in mountain biking judged “a huge success” A mountain bike event had never been staged in Azerbaijan before the Baku 2015 test event but it was judged to have gone off smoothly, raising excitement levels for the European Games. Mike Rowbottom was there.
8
baku2015.com
High winds proved the greatest challenge to competitors in the first dedicated test event for the Baku 2015 European Games on October 18 - the men’s and women’s mountain bike cross country - but, when those cyclists return for the real thing on June 13, it will be the ground under their wheels, or lack of it, that will command their attention. “We will make the course a lot more challenging for the Games,” said the Baku 2015 Director of Sport, Pierce O’Callaghan. “The standard of jumps will be a lot more severe, they will be higher and a lot more challenging. “That will obviously be of benefit to the highly skilled competitors, and it will also add to the spectacle for spectators, media and TV.” After Iana Belomoina of Ukraine and Martin Fanger of Switzerland had earned top honours at the purpose-built facility just south of the Baku Shooting Centre in hills on the outskirts of the city,
/baku2015
O’Callaghan said: “We have spoken to the athletes and team managers, and to the delegates who are here to observe from the European Cycling Union. “It has been a huge success. The delegates have been blown away by the expertise of the event staff here. “They were coming into an unknown market in Azerbaijan. This is the first international mountain bike event ever staged here, and only the second mountain bike event. “The course is very spectacular in TV terms, and it’s good for spectators because you can see so much of it from a central vantage point.” Other changes include adding a second feeding station on the course, and putting an extra loop round the start. “We have had a wide-ranging discussion since the event to see what improvements could be made for next time,” O’Callaghan added. “You can do as many site inspections as you like, but when you have real athletes out there competing there is no better method of judging it. That’s the value of a test event. “The key thing is that we have listened to everything and we will make all the necessary adjustments.” On the day, Belomoina, a 21-year-old ranked 22nd in the world, commented: “The course and organisation was very high level. The course was very flat,
@BakuGames2015
which caused fast speed, but there were not so many uphills. In my opinion it would be better to make the track more difficult, extend uphills and make it less flat.” Plenty of excitement was generated by officials and media in the finishing straight as the riders raced to the finish, but clearly the presence of the public will amplify that experience next summer. “We only wanted a few spectators at the test event because the venue shares back-of-house with the shooting venue, and while that was effectively a building site, it was difficult to have people driving their cars through it,” O’Callaghan said. “But we were able to test our security systems by getting staff into the right places, and we also took the opportunity of testing our crowd-control exercises. We will be expecting large numbers on the day, as the venue is so close to the city. “We were also able to test
the response of our medical staff in getting people off the track. If you come off a bike, you are likely to damage yourself quite heavily, and there is also the possibility that you will hold up the rest of the field.” For Jayne Pearce, Director of Baku 2015 Press Operations, one of the key pluses of the day was the way in which the newly-created “I-Zone” - an informal and fluid arrangement for conducting press interviews - worked successfully. “We are trying a new, innovative concept for post-competition interviews - abolishing ‘last century’, stilted media conferences in favour of a more relaxed, on demand ‘I-Zone’,” Pearce said. “The area for this that we will use for the Games was not completed but we still created a form of I-Zone and brought all medallists plus Azerbaijani athletes to the area for free-flowing interviews. “We also tested our Games News Service, providing quotes and news for the assembled media. There were 47 media who actually attended the event. 42 Azerbaijani, two British, one French and two Russians. We were really pleased with this turn out. “For press operations, test events are vital. In
this case we tested both people and processes. For example we were able to test start and finish photo positions, as well as photo positions on the course. “All in all it was a great success from our point of view. We will see some minor tweaks to our Games-time planning as a result of the test, which will hopefully lead to an even smoother operation in June 2015.”
Wheel of
fortune The Baku 2015 Mountain Bike Test event attracted a men’s entry of 20. Greece provided five riders, Russia and hosts Azerbaijan three each, Ukraine, Georgia, Switzerland and Lebanon two, with one rider representing Turkey. The Swiss pair of Martin Fanger and Marc Stutzmann finished first and second, with Fanger taking victory by a margin of 42sec in 1 hour 37min 52sec. There was only one DNF, from Lebanon. Eight riders were involved in the women’s race – two each from Switzerland, Ukraine and Russia, one from Turkey and one from Greece. Iana Belomoina of Ukraine won in 1hr 24min 46sec, 1:13 ahead of Switzerland’s Kathrin Stirnemann. There were 47 media members present.
Baku2015.com
9
History in the making The 1st European Games Issue 3, January 2015
National Olympic Committees
Baku
back
to deliver an
Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev addressed the EOC delegates at the opening session of the General Assembly.
outstanding European Games
The Baku 2015 European Games is shaping up to be the biggest multi-sport event on the European calendar this year and the ideal proving ground for athletes ahead of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, according to senior figures from the leading National Olympic Committees of Europe. Duncan Mackay reports from the event. Baku is on course to deliver a successful inaugural European Games. That was the overwhelming message from the leading representatives of some of the continent’s leading countries after attending the 43rd European Olympic Committees General Assembly held in the Azerbaijani capital last November. Emphasising the importance of holding the Assembly, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev was on hand to welcome the guests, including International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach. President Aliyev told the guests that it was an ideal opportunity to get acquainted with Baku. Bach led the praise for the European Games Operations Committee. “I’m deeply impressed to see the development here in regard to sport,” he said. “What I have seen and heard about the preparations for the Baku 2015 European Games makes me very confident they will be an outstanding success for European sport and also an outstanding success for Azerbaijan.” Similar approval for Baku 2015 echoed throughout the corridors of the Fairmont Hotel, the headquarters for the General
10
baku2015.com
Assembly, during the two-day event held in November. “The conditions will be perfect for elite performances, I am sure: great venues, great accommodation and transport, and great organisation,” said Denis Masseglia, President of the French Olympic Committee. Alexander Zhukov, President of the Russian Olympic Committee, expressed his confidence that the inaugural European Games will be a huge success. “Baku 2015 will be an excellent event from every perspective - the organisation, the city, the quality of sport,” he said. “Baku 2015 is our number one priority next year, our biggest event without question. Russia will have a strong team at the European Games. After seeing the venues and meeting the organisers this week, I am more convinced than ever that Baku 2015 will be an important stage on our road to Rio 2016.” Michel Vesper, Secretary General of the German Olympic Sports Confederation, was another who emphasised the importance of the European Games towards Rio 2016. “I have no doubt that our athletes are going to find the perfect conditions to achieve sporting excellence here next year,” he said. High praise came from Vlade Divac,
President of the Olympic Committee of Serbia, one of the greatest basketball players in history who was a member of the Yugoslavia team that won the Olympic silver medal at Seoul in 1988. “Serbia’s athletes should be getting really
EOC President Patrick Hickey presents the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, and the First Lady of Azerbaijan, Mehriban Aliyeva, with commemorative souvenirs from the European Olympic Committees.
/baku2015
IOC President Thomas Bach addresses the European Olympic Committees at their General Assembly.
excited about these Games because they will be amazing, unlike any other event on the European sports calendar,” he said. “They will be a breath of fresh air for European sport, and a great chance to see Serbian athletes on the podium. “The Organising Committee [sic] of Baku 2015 has considered every part of their hosting concept from an athlete and NOC perspective and that is really reassuring for me and my team. I think Baku 2015 will be one of the surprise events of next year and the European Games certainly has a healthy future starting from this strong base.” During the General Assembly delegates from the 49 National Olympic Committees received status updates from BEGOC, confirming preparations for Europe’s inaugural continental multi-sport Games were firmly on track. The NOC Presidents and Secretaries General also had a tour of the key venues,
@BakuGames2015
including the National Stadium, the National Gymnastics Arena and the Baku Aquatics Centre. “The stadia here are stunning and the facilities for athletes in the Village and around the city are of the highest level - Baku is a great breeding ground for sporting success,” said Victor Sanchez, Secretary General of the Spanish Olympic Committee. “I can’t wait to see our athletes perform here in 2015.” Uğur Erdener, President of the Turkish Olympic Committee, is another top official who is confident the event will be a big success. “I am very impressed at what they have achieved in Baku and the new sports infrastructure is excellent,” said Erdener, who is also the President of World Archery. “The first European Games is going to have a big impact on the development of Olympic sports and young athletes, not just in Azerbaijan but across Europe.”
Above: EOC President Patrick Hickey addresses the European Olympic Committees.
Below: Delegates at the EOC General Assembly.
Baku2015.com
11
The inside track on world sport www.insidethegames.biz
s a red card, he is When a player receive me entirely, but dismissed from the ga otball, the team can unlike in 11-a-side fo e to replace the bring on a substitut r two minutes. dismissed player afte
History in the making The 1st European Games
A single game lasts 36 minutes, split up into three 12-minute periods.
Photo: Spain beats Russia in the semi-final of the Euro Beach Soccer Cup in Baku. Copyright: Beach Soccer Worldwide.
Issue Issue3,3,January January 2015 2015
Four referees officiate matches, two on the pitch, one in the technical area, with the timekeeper controlling time and score.
each B a ’s e Lat if Baku 2015 Beach soccer is one of the fastest growing sports in the world and its appearance in the European Games offers it a great opportunity to showcase its credentials. Daniel Etchells reports.
12 12
baku2015.com baku2015.com
Beach soccer may be the only sport on the Baku 2015 programme which will be a men’s only event, but the modified version of the beautiful game is set to make quite an impact in the Azerbaijani capital. Widely recognised as one of the fastest growing sports showcased internationally, the hugely popular beach soccer has benefited from increased visibility in the sports industry and is now televised in 170 countries worldwide. Although the sport involves basic football techniques, it also requires a great degree of improvisation, physical strength and flexibility on sand.
With a shot at goal approximately 9 to 11 every 30 seconds, an average of e. gam per l goals are scored in tota
The competition in Baku, which will feature a total of 96 athletes from eight nations, is scheduled to take place over the last five days of the inaugural European Games competition in the Flag Square Cluster’s Beach Arena. Six nations secured qualification via the 2014 Euro Beach Soccer League Superfinal held in the Spanish resort of Torredembarra from August 14 to 17. The eight participating countries at the event were split into two pools of four, with the top three sides from each earning the right to battle for the gold medal in Baku alongside hosts Azerbaijan.
/baku2015 /baku2015
Players are not allowed to wear anything on their feet.
Beach soccer is played on a compact field (37m x 28m), much smaller than a regular football pitch, giving players an opportunity to score from any angle on the field.
d match, at the Euro Beach Soccer Cup
Photo: Azerbaijan against Switzerlan
Russia, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Italy and Ukraine made up the half dozen successful nations, while the final spot at the European Games went to Hungary, winners of the EBSL’s second-tier Promotional Final. Later that same month, Baku hosted the six-team Euro Beach Soccer Cup at the Jumeirah Bilgah Beach Hotel, giving the European Games Operations Committee a chance to observe the sport at close quarters ahead of next summer’s event. Spain won their fourth title courtesy of an 8-6 victory against Switzerland in the final, while defending champions and current world champions Russia won the third-place playoff against Greece. Speaking ahead of the event, Matthew Kidson, one of Baku 2015’s sport cluster competition managers, said: “As one of our non-Olympic sports, beach soccer is sure to draw a lot of attention at the inaugural
@BakuGames2015 @BakuGames2015
wide
in Baku. Copyright: Beach Soccer World
European Games. “It’s fast, frenetic and always has lots of goals, so we are confident it’s going to be one of the most popular sports when the action kicks off next June.” Gabino Renales, deputy vice-president of the organisation responsible for the founding and growth of Beach Soccer Worldwide, added: “Our sport is growing all over the world, and is especially popular here in Azerbaijan. “It is an honour for us to be part of the first ever European Games - all of the teams who have qualified are very excited about playing. Baku 2015 represents a big step forward for our sport. It will help our players become more and more professional. “We are very confident that Baku 2015 will be a great event. We are sure it will be very well organised and all the structure is in place for a great competition. The Beach Soccer team are very much looking forward
e pitch, including five players on th of ist ns co s am Te ers on the seven reserve play d an , er ep ke al a go allowed. substitutions are d ite im nl U h. nc be
Photo: Spain beats Hungary 6-4 in the group stages of the Euro Beach Soccer Cup held in Baku in August 2014.
to being back in Baku in June 2015.” It remains to be seen whether beach soccer will one day feature on the Summer Olympic Games programme but it’s certainly expected that its appearance at the European Games will only help its cause.
Baku2015.com Baku2015.com
13 13
History in the making The 1st European Games Issue 3, January 2015
Photo: Azad Rahimov meets United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon October 2014. Copyright UN.
Baku 2015 Chief Executive addresses United Nations General Assembly about European Games Azerbaijan’s Minister of Youth and Sport and Baku 2015 Chief Executive Azad Rahimov played a leading role in a debate at the United Nations General Assembly, as Duncan Mackay reports.
14
baku2015.com
Azerbaijan’s Minister of Youth and Sport and Baku 2015 Chief Executive Azad Rahimov promised, during a groundbreaking speech to the United Nations General Assembly, that the European Games will be delivered to the highest standard. Rahimov was speaking to delegates on the theme of Sport for Development and Peace in New York City where he also praised the leadership of First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva in her role as Chair of Baku 2015. Rahimov was talking during a debate held on October 20 where delegates argued passionately that sports could be a diplomatic bridge to peace and a vehicle for healing political and cultural rifts among communities. Rahimov was one of several speakers
who told the General Assembly how sport could be used as an educational and development tool. UN General Assembly Vice-President Gréta Gunnarsdóttir, from Iceland, said that when nations and people got together to play sports, they cooperatively crossed political and cultural boundaries, even if there had been wars and enmity between them. “That potential must be harnessed,” Rahimov told delegates. He outlined how Azerbaijan’s Government had included sport in its development strategies and that promotion of sport was a means of health and development, and part of the country’s policy on youth. “International sporting events are an important tool to bolster dialogue, understanding and tolerance among
/baku2015
nations,” Rahimov said. “Sport has a unique power to bring people together, drive social change and bridge the gap between different ethnicities and traditions. “Azerbaijan is becoming well positioned as a sporting nation. Our country has gained significant experience in hosting major events. “Baku 2015 will take place over 17 days of competition, when more than 6,000 athletes from Europe will compete in 20 sports, in the spirit of peace, fair play, friendship and unity. “While having had little more than two years to prepare for the European Games, our country is determined to deliver these
pioneering Games at the highest level.” Despite having a relatively short time to prepare for the European Games, Rahimov insisted that the infrastructure and facilities will be in place in time for the event, due to take place from June 12 to 28. He also highlighted the important role that the Games will play in leaving a lasting legacy for sport in the country. “Our nation has a large proportion of youth, with the median age of population of just 30.1 years,” Rahimov said. “Indeed, 40 per cent of our population is less than 24-years-old. With such a statistic we feel a sense of duty to provide proper sporting infrastructure and purpose
for our people. “In fact, in the last 10 years alone, we have constructed more than 50 worldclass facilities throughout the entire country. This sporting infrastructure provides access to sporting facilities to all our people, at absolutely no cost to the individual.” Following his address to the General Assembly, Rahimov hosted a gala lunch for delegates while he also held a meeting with Sam Kutesa, President of the 69th General Assembly of the United Nations. The two men discussed the importance of the First Global Forum on Youth Policies, which took place in Baku at the end of October.
Azad Rahimov meets Wilfried Lemke, United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Sport for Development and Peace.
@BakuGames2015
Baku2015.com
15
History in the making The 1st European Games Issue 3, January 2015
Flamekeepers on the steps of the Heydar Aliyev Centre, Baku.
Volunteers are the lifeblood of any major event and the European Games is planning to channel the enthusiasm of Azerbaijan’s youthful population to ensure everyone is made to feel welcome, as Paul Osborne finds out. The London 2012 Olympics had its Games Makers, the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games its Clyde-Siders, and now the Baku 2015 European Games will have its Flamekeepers. As the official name of the Baku 2015 volunteer initiative, the Flamekeeper programme will reflect the individuals that have dedicated their time and effort to ensure the best possible running of the inaugural European Games. The Flamekeepers will be entrusted with
16
baku2015.com
helping to deliver a successful Games, and also embody the spirit of Azerbaijan - known as the land of fire - to the world. Launched last year on June 12 as part of the One Year To Go celebrations, the programme has attempted to reach as many Azerbaijani citizens as possible, inviting them to play their part in what will be one of the greatest occasions in the history of the nation. Almost every university and college has been involved in this nationwide
programme with more than 20,000 people registering to become a Flamekeeper and create their own slice of history during this momentous event. As well as visiting these areas of study to recruit volunteers, the campaign also includes a number of fun events and competitions, such as photography competitions, volunteer essays, a forum on volunteerism and many other events. So far, more than 5,000 candidates have been interviewed by the Operations
/baku2015
Committee as they look to match the person with the role and ensure individuals are in a position perfectly matched to their ability. Hundreds of these interviews are being carried out on a weekly basis, both in person and via video link, as the days tick down until the Opening Ceremony of the inaugural European Games. The programme is open to volunteers of all ages, but it is preferable that candidates will be 18-years-old by the start of the Games. Although applications are primarily being accepted from individuals in Azerbaijan, there are a number of roles for international volunteers as Baku looks to ensure that language barriers do not become an issue during the Games. By the time the Games burst in to life next June, it is hoped that more than 12,500 Flamekeepers will have been hired to fulfil some of the most important roles during the 17-day sporting spectacle. As with any major multi-sport event, volunteers will have the opportunity to fill vital Games-time roles that include welcoming dignitaries and athletes, working at sporting events or providing assistance to members of the media and spectators. The volunteers will be the engine that drives the Games to fulfil their full potential, welcoming the world to
Azerbaijan and leading them into an historic journey through this rich and beautiful nation. And that is key to the role of Flamekeepers at Baku 2015. Aptly named for their work in ensuring that the flames of Baku 2015 are kept burning brightly not just through the Games, but in the many years that follow,
the Flamekeepers will be the lasting human legacy from Baku that will benefit the city and the whole of Azerbaijan long after the European Games. They will work as the face, the life and the soul of the Baku 2015 European Games, performing some of the most fundamental roles in the entire process of this historic sporting phenomenon.
Flamekeepers on the Baku Boulevard.
@BakuGames2015
Baku2015.com
17
History in the making The 1st European Games Issue 3, January 2015
Amil Hamzayev
Jeyran Aliyeva
Elmar Gasimov
Volleyball
3x3 Basketball
Mariya Stadnik
Judo
Freestyle wrestling
Serving their country Marina Durunda
Rhythmic gymnastics
Some of Azerbaijan’s finest athletes have been appointed to act as Ambassadors for the European Games. Daniel Etchells finds out more about them. Ambassadors for the Baku 2015 European Games will play a key role in promoting next summer’s event across Azerbaijan as the clock continues to count down to the eagerly anticipated Opening Ceremony on June 12. In November, 11 athletes from the host nation were selected to represent their country and respective sport with more expected to be named in the coming months. As part of their duties, the Ambassadors will feature in marketing campaigns in the
18
baku2015.com
lead up to the Games and also attend high-profile milestone events The athletes include wrestlers Rovshan Bayramov and Mariya Stadnik, who between them have four Olympic medals, as well as two-time national gymnastics champion Marina Durunda, double European Judo Championships medallist Elmar Gasimov and 2014 Summer Youth Olympic Games bronze medal winning triple jumper, Nazim Babayev. Greco-Roman wrestler Bayramov claimed a gold medal at the 2011 World Wrestling Championship to add to the silver and bronze medals he won in 2006 and 2009 respectively. The 27-year-old double Olympic silver medallist is also a two-time European champion having triumphed in Sofia in 2007 and Tampere in 2008. Freestyle wrestler Stadnik won a bronze medal at Beijing 2008 before upgrading to silver at London 2012. The 26-year-old also has a full set of
World Championship medals and four European titles to her name. Gymnast Durunda competed at the 2014 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships, where Azerbaijan finished fifth in the team competition. The 17-year-old qualified for three event finals, placing sixth in the hoop, seventh in
Murad Sultanov Cycling
/baku2015
Nazim Babayev Triple jump
the ball and fifth in the clubs, and finished sixth in the all-around final. Gasimov was a bronze medallist at the 2012 European Judo Championships in Chelyabinsk and went one better in Montpellier two years later, claiming silver in the under 100 kilogramme category. Babayev, who also competes in the long jump, finished third behind Surinam’s Miguel Van Assen and Italy’s Tobia Bocchi after registering 15.96 metres at Nanjing 2014. Also selected were archer Sughra Mugabilzada, 3x3 basketball player Amil Hamzayev, cyclists Elgun Alizada and Murad Sultanov, London 2012 Olympic fencer Sabina Mikina and volleyball star Jeyran Aliyeva. “These athletes are some of the finest sports people in the country and they will prove to be excellent ambassadors for the European Games,” said Azad Rahimov, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Youth and Sport and Baku 2015 Chief Executive Officer. “We want them to help share the excitement surrounding Baku 2015 with the rest of the country, and I am sure their achievements will prove inspirational for young people all across Azerbaijan.” Mugabilzada competed for her country at
Elgun Alizada Cycling
@BakuGames2015
Sabina Mikina
Rovshan Bayramov
Fencing
Greco-Roman wrestling
Nanjing 2014 and can also lay claim to a third place finish at the national archery Federations Cup. Hamzayev’s 144 point haul in a single match between Ganja and Baku State University earned him a place in the Azerbaijan National Basketball Championship’s history books. Alizada is a talented 18-year-old rider who competed as a junior in this year’s European Championships road race and finished in an impressive 12th position. Sultanov is also a relatively inexperienced cyclist, but still managed to secure third place at the Azerbaijan Mountain Bike National Championships behind Agshin Ismayilov and Orkhan Mammadov in July. Fencer Mikina competed in the women’s individual sabre event at London 2012, where she defeated Germany’s Alexandra Bujdoso in the first preliminary round, before losing out in her next match to Ukraine’s Olga Kharlan, with a final score of 15–9. Aliyeva is a member of the Azerbaijan national volleyball team, whose best result at the European Championships was fourth in their debut in 2005. Further notable representatives will also be recruited as part of the Baku 2015
Ambassador programme to help raise awareness of the inaugural European Games around the world. International campaigns will be conducted to spread the word and generate interest within the host continent and beyond. “The Ambassador programme will see support for the inaugural European Games from medal hopefuls and high profile athletes from around Europe, so we are confident that it will be a success,” said Simon Clegg, Chief Operating Officer of Baku 2015. “I would like to thank all of the Azerbaijani athletes for their support so far and we look forward to working with them to help promote Baku 2015 in the coming months.” Chingiz Huseynzade, Vice-President of the National Olympic Committee of the Azerbaijani Republic, added: “We are very proud to be working alongside Baku 2015 on the Ambassador programme. “Baku 2015 is an incredible opportunity for our athletes to represent themselves, their sports, and their country on a major international stage and the Ambassador programme will help develop their careers immensely.”
Sughra Mugabilzada Archery
Baku2015.com
19
History in the making The 1st European Games Issue 3, January 2015
Young, gifted and excited
Azerbaijan’s young population will ensure the first-ever European Games receives an enthusiastic welcome in Baku. Mike Rowbottom discovers what role the Azerbaijan Youth Foundation is playing in the preparations.
20
baku2015.com
Azerbaijan is a young country independent since 1991 - and a country very full of young people. “Sixty per cent of the population here is under the age of 30,” said Pierce O’Callaghan, Director of Sport for the Baku 2015 European Games. “Two years ago everyone here was getting very excited about the Eurovision Song Contest which was held in Baku. That lasted for four or five hours. The Baku European Games will keep that kind of excitement going over 17 days. “So there is a huge
opportunity for BEGOC (Baku European Games Operations Committee) to engage with these young people brought up in the internet age in an independent Azerbaijan.” And the prime means of this interaction has been the Azerbaijan Youth Foundation, established in December 2011 by the President of the Republic, Ilham Aliyev, with the key aim “to ensure the all-round development and active participation of youth in social life”. The Foundation currently has registered 3,835 individuals and 304 youth Non-Governmental
/baku2015
Organisations, and its stock is clearly rising. The last five rounds of grants drew proposals for 2,706 projects, of which 1,457 were supported. The first round brought 165 applications; the latest one has generated more than 1,300 applications. Youth Foundation projects have taken place in every region of Azerbaijan, generating participation from almost 70 countries in their international projects. The Ministry of Youth and Sport of Azerbaijan was established in 1994, and two years later the First National Youth Forum was held on the initiative of the former National Leader, Heydar Aliyev, who prioritised the country’s youth policy, overseeing a 100-fold increase in its budget. A new Law on Youth Policy was adapted in 2007, known as the Year of Youth, and two state programmes were approved by the President from 2005-2009 and 2011-2015. Farhad Hajiyev, the Foundation’s Executive Director, explained: “The idea in the establishing of this Foundation was to support youth initiatives, to help the young generation to develop personal skills and abilities, to provide state support to young creative people to make a good start, to work with young Azerbaijanis who live or study abroad to have projects related to their homeland and to assist in young people’s scientific research. “The Youth Foundation was started to be the fundamental instrument in the implementation of state youth policy in Azerbaijan. We have covered the whole country with the supported projects. “We have many projects on different topics,” Hajiyev added, “from youth participation to art, social inclusion to leadership trainings, volunteerism to NGO management.” The Foundation and Baku 2015 have a formal meeting point in the Games Academy project, which provides a learning programme to build the skills and knowledge to deliver the European Games and leave a legacy from them. “Azerbaijan is a young modern country with a rich historical heritage where East meets West, meaning that western culture meets here with eastern and north meets south and at the end all live here in peace and tolerance,” Hajiyev said. “This unique situation allows us to hold
@BakuGames2015
Photo: Farhad Hajiyev, Executive Director of the Azerbaijan Youth Foundation, photo courtesy of the Youth Foundation under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
the European Games, the Islamic Solidarity Games in 2017, the World Chess Olympiad in 2016, the Formula One Grand Prix in 2015, and three games and one quarterfinal of the UEFA 2020 Championships. “By developing a project such as the Games Academy, where more than 150 young people from Azerbaijan and 50 from abroad get the chance to meet and learn from some of the most experienced people in the world on Games preparations, they immediately received job proposals. “I consider this as one of the biggest contributions and legacy of the Organising Committee, successfully headed by the First Lady of Azerbaijan, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, ISESCO (Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) and UNESCO goodwill ambassador Mehriban Aliyeva. “These young people, along with other young employees of BEGOC (Baku European Games Operations Committee) dealing with preparations, are one of the main legacies which these Games will leave in the country. “The Youth Foundation became a partner of this idea since it was born and we helped a lot in promotion of this project, in the recruiting of enthusiastic, smart and well-educated young people of Azerbaijan to be part of this historical moment.
“In May, we conducted a huge survey among students of Azerbaijan on awareness about the Games, its benefits for the country and the will of young people to participate as the volunteers. Almost 80 per cent of the respondents supported holding the Games in Azerbaijan and were sure that the country will definitely benefit.” O’Callaghan commented: “We are looking for 12,000 volunteers, and we have already had more than 18,000 applications, largely through the Azerbaijan Youth Foundation website. It’s been the Youth Foundation that has really been the driving force behind this enthusiasm. “Farhad Hajiyev saw the potential to do this from the first day and has worked very, very closely with BEGOC. “The whole process has been a huge success, even though time is not our friend. But there’s nothing like a ticking clock to focus minds.” Hajiyev concluded: “The youth policy of Azerbaijan is recognised all over the world. So it is not by accident that the first ever Global Forum on Youth Policies was held in Baku this year under the patronage of the United Nations, the Council of Europe, UNESCO, UNDP and other international stake holders.”
Baku2015.com
21
Bakı 2015-ə dəstək verdiklərinə görə aşağıda göstərilən şirkətlərə təşəkkürümüzü bildiririk… History in the making Baku 2015 would like to thank the following companies The 1st European Games for their support… Issue 3, January 2015
Official Partners Official Partners
Sponsors and broadcasters Official Supporters
sign-up forBaku 2015
Blue chip companies and TV stations have embraced the concept of the inaugural European Games, even though it required a “leap of faith” on their part. David Owen reports.
With the decision to stage the inaugural European Games taken only in December 2012, leaving just two-and-a-half years to put everything in place, against, for example, seven years for an Olympic Games, it is fair to say that speed has been of the essence for Baku 2015.
22
baku2015.com
With this in mind, the calibre of the list of sponsors already assembled and the range of territories covered by the broadcasting deals so far signed are both truly impressive. To start with the sponsors, the addition in September of Azerbaijan Airlines, the country’s flag carrier, brought to six the number of official partners for the Games. These are evenly split between representatives of the Azerbaijani business community - Nar Mobile, the mobile operator, and SOCAR, the oil company, are the other two local groups signed up - and big-name multinationals such as Procter & Gamble, the consumer products company and Olympic TOP sponsor, Switzerland’s Tissot, the official timekeeper, and BP, the British oil giant. There are also five official supporters: McDonald’s Azerbaijan, Tickethour, Milla, Sitecore and Motorola Solutions, added in mid-November, which will deliver digital
radio services to help ensure the smooth and effective communication and coordination of the event. “I am delighted to have such a strong stable of really strong brands both internationally and domestically,” says Simon Clegg, Baku 2015’s Chief Operating Officer, while acknowledging that the marketing process has been “incredibly challenging”. Taking pains to highlight the sterling work of the commercial team under the leadership of Charlie Wijeratna, Baku 2015’s Commercial Director, Clegg explains: “We have gone to the commercial marketplace, whether for sponsorship or broadcasting, trying to persuade them to part with their money based on a blank piece of paper, a concept and a load of promises... “It was initially a leap of faith on their part.” Because Baku 2015 is an inaugural event,
/baku2015
He says the number of top-tier sponsors
one critical factor in stitching deals together
Bakı verdiklərinə görə aşağıda göstərilən will be limited to eight and, since he is was2015-ə dəstək how prospective partners planned to “confident” of signing a seventh in early promote the Games in order to raise şirkətlərə təşəkkürümüzü bildiririk… 2015, there must be a very strong chance awareness. SOCAR, for example, agreed to carry Baku 2015 branding on all their that the event will be fully subscribed at this level. forecourts outlets across country Baku 2015andwould liketheto thank the following companies Unlike the Olympics, which operates a and abroad. McDonald’s agreed to promote for the their support… “clean” venue policy, Baku 2015 sponsors Games across Azerbaijan through a variety of measures including in-store messaging, Games-related competitions and a specially created Baku 2015 European Games menu. Azerbaijan Airlines signed up to carry Baku 2015 branding and also featuring the Games in its in-flight movies Official Partners and magazines. Nar Mobile, meanwhile, is sponsoring the Games’ extensive volunteer programme, the biggest in Azerbaijan’s history. The 12,000 volunteers are able to keep up-to-date with the latest news via an innovative mobile application, while the company will promote Baku 2015 through social media channels, text messaging and a number of newlycreated short films. “The marketing spend sponsors were prepared to put behind their sponsorship was an important part of the overall consideration,” Clegg underlines.
will get advertising space around the various sports venues. If signing on the dotted line was initially an act of faith for sponsors, their trust looks like being richly rewarded thanks to the broadcasting deals which host broadcaster, International Sports Broadcasting, headed by Manolo Romero, former Managing Director of Olympic Broadcasting Services, has started to reel in. Baku 2015 will also be broadcast beyond the host continent, with China Central Television CCTV 5 and CCTV 5+ broadcasting the event to an audience of potentially more than a billion people. In October, Olympic rights-holding Arab States Broadcasting Union signed a deal that will see free-to-air live coverage offered in 20 Middle East and North African countries, including Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Qatar.
Published: January 2015 by Dunsar Media Company Limited
Managing Director & Project Manager: Sarah Bowron Baku 2015: Olalla Cernuda Farida Akhundova
Sponsors and rights-holders are correct at time of going to press. More will be announced in the coming weeks.
Official Supporters
Official Supporters
Editor: Duncan Mackay
This coverage will come with full Arabic commentary and there will be highlights packages of the 17 days of competition. In November, 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games host Japan was added to the list of nations to which Baku 2015 will be broadcast, via a deal with the Tokyo Broadcasting System, a commercial broadcaster with a nationwide network including 28 affiliates across the country. Further international deals are expected in coming weeks and months, with Clegg stating he is “extremely confident” that the European Games will be “shown in every Olympic continent”. Deals covering some of the major European markets have also been agreed already, with SPORT1 appointed exclusive broadcaster in Germany and L’Equipe 21 fulfilling the same role in France. L’Equipe 21 will also broadcast a special one-off programme to mark 100 days to go until Baku 2015. “I don’t think in our wildest dreams we could have imagined this level of TV interest,” Clegg concludes.
Correspondents: Daniel Etchells David Owen Mike Rowbottom Nick Butler Paul Osborne Dunsar Media Design: Elliot Willis
Pictures: All pictures Baku 2015 unless Print: @BakuGames2015 stated www.csfprint.com
Dunsar Media Company Limited C222 MK:TWO Business Centres 1-9 Barton Road Bletchley Milton Keynes MK2 3HU Great Britain +44 1908 263387 contact@insidethegames.biz www.insidethegames.biz No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in any retrieval system of any nature without prior written permission of the publisher.
Data is published in good faith and is the best information possessed by Dunsar Media Company Limited at the stated date of publication. The publisher cannot accept any liability for errors or omissions, however caused. Errors brought to the attention of the publisher and verified to the satisfaction of the publisher will be corrected in future editions, if any. © and Database Right 2015 Dunsar Media Company Limited Baku2015.com
All rights reserved.
23
baku2015.com