The State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) has joined Proctor and Gamble, Tissot, BP and Nar Mobile as the fifth official partner of the Baku 2015 European Games. 

The deal will see Baku 2015 European Games branding on every SOCAR forecourt and outlet across the country to raise awareness of the event.

“The majority of tickets will go to local people; that’s a big challenge,” said Charlie Wijeratna, commercial director at Baku 2015 in an exclusive interview that will be published in the autumn issue of HOST CITY magazine. 

“Shifting tickets to people for sports they’ve never historically paid to watch before, you need great local marketing partners.”

SOCAR, which employs more than 60,000 people, will also help to promote the Games through a marketing campaign in four other European countries, including Switzerland, Georgia, Romania and Ukraine.

Azad Rahimov, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Youth and Sports and CEO of Baku 2015, said “The European Games is an opportunity to promote Azerbaijan to the rest of the world and to have the backing of such a highly valued international company is of vital importance.”

SOCAR have a long standing association with major sporting bodies and events, including the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan. It is also sponsoring the 2016 UEFA European Football Championship in France.

Mr Rovnag Abdullayev, President of SOCAR, said “Sponsorships across sport are a very significant point for us, and SOCAR is honoured to be associated with such an exciting moment in the history of the country.”

The European Games takes place in Baku from 12 – 28 June 2015, featuring 20 sports and 6,000 athletes.

 “As we continue to count down the days until the beginning of the European Games, it gives us great confidence to know that many major Azerbaijani businesses are backing our efforts to create an innovative event that will unite Europe through sport,” said Simon Clegg, Chief Operating Officer of Baku 2015.

“We are very pleased with how the sponsorship programme has gone,” Wijeratna told HOST CITY.

Representatives from National Olympic Committees across Europe and other overseas dignitaries converged on the capital of Azerbaijan to celebrate the start of a yearlong countdown to the Baku 2015 European Games.

More than 25,000 spectators watched the fireworks and laser light show on Wednesday night, indicating strong public support and enthusiasm for the inaugural European Games.

 “The whole of Azerbaijan is passionate about hosting the European Games – you could feel the excitement all over Baku for our 1 Year To Go celebrations,” said Azad Rahimov, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Youth and Sports and Chief Executive of Baku 2015. 

“The European Games will have a long term positive impact on our country, and particularly on the lives of our young people. We look forward to welcoming people from across Europe to Baku to enjoy world class sport in an amazing city.”

Baku was awarded the Games by the European Olympic Committees (EOC) in December 2012. The Baku European Games Operations Committee (BEGOC) will organise and run the Games in co-operation with the EOC.

 “The scale and pace of development here in Baku have been remarkable,” said Patrick Hickey, president of the EOC. “But we do not have a moment to lose: two years of excellent work have given us the opportunity to stage a truly outstanding inaugural European Games, and we must make the most of that opportunity. 

“Baku 2015 is already in the home straight, and under the leadership of Minister Rahimov I am positive BEGOC will deliver an innovative, sustainable, impactful and athlete-centred European Games.”

Baku 2015 will be the first ever European Games, an exciting and innovative new multi-sport event for the continent that will take place from 12 June until 28 June 2015. There will be a total of 19 sports at Baku 2015: 16 Olympic sports and three non-Olympic sports. More than 6,000 athletes are expected to represent their nations over the 17 days of competition.

Nine of the sports will offer Olympic qualification for the Rio 2016 Games: archery, athletics, beach volleyball, cycling, shooting, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo and triathlon.

On the day of signing an MoU with the hosts of the Istanbul 2027 European Games, Spyros Capralos, President of the European Olympic Committees (EOC) highlighted AI as a “useful tool” for delivery of the mega event in Europe’s largest city.

He also highlighted the economic success of the previous edition of the Games, with talks with prospective hosts for 2031 set to begin soon.

“We know that artificial intelligence is an area which brings exciting opportunities and, in line with the Olympic artificial intelligence agenda, we'll explore how it can help us to optimise plans for the 2027 European Games,” said Capralos.

“AI is something that's new in our world and I think that there are many developments in sport, but also developments in other in other areas,” he told Host City during a press conference.

“Every Games has its challenges, and AI could be an extremely useful tool to help ensure efficient logistical planning in areas such as accommodation, transportation.”

The innovations that AI can bring to sport will be high on the agenda of the EOC General Assembly in Bucharest in June, he said.

“I think that going forward in the next three years, there are going to be lots of developments and we'll be on top of that.”

Bids for 2031 European Olympic Games

Following the General Assembly, the EOC will enter into discussions with prospective hosts for the 2031 European Olympic Games.

“We've had some cities that have expressed an interest” said Caparalos, referring to parties who were “not ready” to bid for 2027 but are now looking at 2031 instead.

“I think it's what is a very positive on this front is that, before we're looking for a host, we have concluded and agreed with our Turkish friends more than three years before the Games.

“So I think this is very good and it shows the success of the Games”

He cited a Deloitte report evaluating the previous Games in Kraków-Małopolska in 2023, which demonstrated that the benefits far outweighed the costs that associated with the Games.

“In today's world every government and every municipality is afraid of what the taxpayers will say, and from the report of Deloitte, we realised that the positive financial aspect of the Games was such that by sharing this with other cities, that will increase the interest.”

Caparalos also confirmed that Istanbul was building no new permanent venues for 2027 Games, “in line with IOC Agenda 20+5”, and focusing on upgrading existing venues.

“An event of this size relies on people having the expertise to ensure a successful event. Istanbul has proven itself in this respect throughout its hosting of several events; it has the people with the skills, the experience and the passion to host fantastic events.

“The EOC looks forward to working together to deliver a memorable Games, and a Games with innovation at the forefront.”

Capralos’ comments were made in a press conference in Rome marking the occasion of the European Olympic Committees, the Turkish Olympic Committee and the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality signing a Memorandum of Understanding for the 2027 European Games.

The Games are likely to take place in the last 10 days of June in 2027, he said, with qualifying opportunities to the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 available in a number of sports.

As Madrid comes back into contention for the Olympic Games, Spyros Capralos, President of the European Olympic Committees (EOC) expressed hope that the city will bid for the European Games.

Speaking to Spanish news agency EFE following an EOC Executive Committee meeting in Madrid, Capralos said: "What we hope is that one day Spain joins the map as the organizing country of the European Games. I know that there are many cities that have the necessary infrastructure.

"On the path to organizing Olympic Games in the future, the European Games are a good step to then move forward."

His comments came as Madrid re-entered the fray as a potential host of the 2036 Games. Following the city’s securing of Formula One, the President of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso said: "Who knows if it will help us to attract other major events? The Olympics perhaps? We're working on it."

Capralos said: "Spain is one of our most important members. Its Olympic committee is very actively involved and always has a place in our Executive. President Alejandro Blanco is highly respected, not only in Europe, and the general secretary, Victoria Cabezas, makes very valuable contributions. Madrid joins a growing list of candidates to host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

"The new IOC rules reduce the cost in many aspects, especially in construction. And we want to set a good example for society in terms of sustainability. Having many candidates is good."

Unlike the IOC, the EOC does not have many candidates for its flagship event, but it has a strong candidate for the 2027 European Games in Istanbul, which is also bidding for the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games. "We are going to receive here in Madrid a delegation from Turkey, from the municipality of Istanbul, to discuss a candidacy that is very good. We will go to the city soon, before granting them the Games. It makes us very happy that a great country like Turkey wants to organize the Games.

"In today's world it is very difficult to attract candidates to organize multi-sport competitions. But the Poland Games [in 2023] were a great success, with top-level athletes qualifying there for the Paris Olympics. And federations, Olympic committees and athletes have already realized its importance."

The EOC and Istanbul are in discussions with the federations of gymnastics and swimming about their possible inclusion in the 2027 program. "Gymnastics and swimming are, of course, big competitions and both European federations want to be at the Games. I am sure that artistic and rhythmic gymnastics will return to the programme and we are discussing an under-23 swimming competition," said Capralos.

"We do not want to insist on sports that force organizers to build new venues. At most, to reform them at a lower cost. This way we will attract more cities in the future."

[Source: Global Esports Federation] The Global Esports Federation confirmed a strategic partnership with the European Olympic Committees (EOC). In line with the growing convergence of sport and esports, this partnership will further amplify the GEF’s efforts to promote, expand and develop esports across Europe. The partnership also forms part of the EOC’s initiatives to explore new ways of engaging with young people across the continent. 

Europe represents a large number of countries and cultures – each remarkable and unique, and each with its own National Olympic Committee. This partnership presents a powerful opportunity to connect across borders through the GEF’s #worldconnected community.

“The European Olympic Committees looks forward to this strategic partnership with the Global Esports Federation as we explore the significant growth of esports across our European family. Through this partnership we also focus on promoting sport and the Olympic values, while establishing links with all EOC activities and exploring new forms for fan engagement. Europe is one of the growing regions in the development of esports. The partnership with the GEF will help to evolve, build, and shape our strategy around esports,” said Spyros Capralos, President of the European Olympic Committees.

The GEF and the EOC expect to jointly develop new opportunities to make the connection between sport and esports. The European Games, with the third edition in preparation in Kraków-Małopolska, Poland 2023, can be a great example that demonstrates the convergence of sport and esports. 

“Together, we are committed to expanding esports, creating new modes of entertainment that engage new audiences, and offering inspiring and innovative formats for esports. The success of the recent Commonwealth Esports Championships at Birmingham 2022, demonstrated these opportunities in service to youth and we are looking forward to adding to this through our partnership with the European Olympic Committees,” said Chris Chan, President of the Global Esports Federation.

International Sports Broadcasting (ISB), the host broadcaster for the Minsk 2019 European Games, said it had reached agreements in more than 106 territories on 28^th January, with 150 days to go to the Games.

The organisers of the multisport megaevent say the agreements with top broadcasters in Europe, sub-Saharan Africa and New Zealand will enable them to reach more than 500 million viewers.

“This is excellent news not only for the success and longevity of the European Games, but especially for the athletes, who deserve to have the biggest possible viewership while competing at Europe’s premier multi-sport event,” said European Olympic Committees (EOC) President Janez Kocijančič.

“We look forward to welcoming the world to Minsk this summer, be it in person or via our strong network of broadcasters.”

The second edition of the European Games runs from 21-30 June in the capital city of Belarus.

More than 4,000 athletes will participate in 15 sports: 3x3 basketball, archery, athletics, badminton, beach soccer, boxing, canoe sprint, cycling, gymnastics, judo, karate, sambo, shooting, table tennis and wrestling. Eight of these will act as qualifiers for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, while four sports will also count the Games as their official European championships.

ISB is set to produce an estimated 500 hours of live coverage and daily highlights over ten days of competitions plus Opening and Closing Ceremonies.

The company was established in 1996 by Manolo Romero, former Managing Director of the IOC’s host broadcaster, Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) and has served as the host broadcaster for seven Olympic Games, six Paralympic Games, numerous World Championships, World Cups and continental Games.

“We are very pleased with the agreements reached so far and expect to announce a number of other key deals soon,” Romero said. “Our ultimate target is more than 120 rights holding broadcasters and we are confident that we will achieve it.”

Host City: The theme of Host City 2018 is “The Future of Major Events”. What do you see as the biggest challenge and opportunity for the future of major events?

Niels Nygaard: It is clear that one of the biggest challenges facing any major sports event is overcoming the negative perception in the media and among the public that they are intrinsically financially unsound.

A lot has already been done in recent years to make improvements in all aspects of event delivery, but it will require more time and effort to reverse the negative discourse. The European Olympic Committees is fully aligned with the International Olympic Committee, Olympic Agenda 2020 and The New Norm, meaning that we are absolutely committed to lowering the costs and complexity of our events while improving their efficiency and sustainability. The onus is definitely on us to not only talk the talk but walk the walk when it comes to delivering the best possible events without gigantism, overspending and leaving white elephants behind.

Of course, one of the best ways we can do this is to host sustainable events that leave many positive and long-lasting benefits for the local communities – something we can then use as tangible proof in the debate. We hope that Minsk 2019 will become a touchstone for future discussions on the issue.

Host City: What impact do you expect the 2019 European Games in Minsk to have on the city and region?

Niels Nygaard: We certainly expect that there will be some level of cultural and socioeconomic impact on Minsk and Belarus as a result of the European Games. We see the Games as being a watershed moment in the opening up of Belarus to the rest of Europe and vice versa.

I think for many Europeans, not a great deal is known about the country – it hasn’t traditionally been on the shortlist of travel destinations on our continent. But that could very well change – in fact, Belarus was recently named by Lonely Planet as one of the top 10 destinations globally to travel to in 2019. I think anyone who visits Minsk for the first time cannot help to be impressed by how beautiful the city is, how green, clean and safe it is, and how friendly the people are.

Fortunately, there will be next to no environmental impact on the city as these Games will be one of the most sustainable multi-sports events in history. This is because 11 of 12 venues used at next June’s Games are existing structures. The single venue that had to be built was that for beach soccer – an open-air facility seating 1,500 people that took only two months to construct.

And for sports fans it can’t get much better – the venues are state-of-the-art and are all within 30 minutes’ drive of the Athletes Village. It means that you can take in a number of different sports in the same day if you are so inclined, all in great comfort surrounded by passionate and knowledgeable local sports enthusiasts.

We believe Minsk 2019 can set an example for other multi-sports competitions in the future. There has been a lot of talk lately about how Games should be moulded around the host city and not the other way around. Well, look no further than Minsk 2019, which should become a prime example of how to host a major sports event without spending a lot of money.

Host City: Are there any areas of Games preparation that need particular attention right now?

Niels Nygaard: We are quite pleased with the way things are progressing so far, and get regular updates from our Coordination Commission and from the local organisers themselves. With 11 of the 12 facilities already existing, we have no issues with venue preparation – Minsk could hold the Games tomorrow if need be.

But in the lead-up to the Games we are asking our counterparts in Belarus to step everything up a notch in terms of organisation. In total, Minsk will host 22 test events ahead of the Games on 21 June, which will be a critical learning curve. They have proven to be excellent hosts in the past, but the European Games will be the largest event they have ever staged and it will require a great deal of flexibility and quick decision-making at all levels to be hosted successfully.

Host City: How is the candidature process for 2023 progressing?

Niels Nygaard: We had a good deal of interest in the 2023 European Games prior to our bid launch in September this year. This is why we were confident that even though our window for bid submissions is only 6 months, we are likely to have a strong pool of candidates from which to choose come 28 February.

By naming the 2023 Host City on the eve of Minsk 2019, we wanted to ensure that the 2023 Host City would have a full four years to prepare for their edition of the European Games.

The interest being shown in the 2023 European Games signals that this event is regarded as Europe’s premier sporting event. I believe it has a bright future and we look forward to seeing the Games evolve and improve over time.

Host City: With the European Championships having been successfully hosted in Glasgow this summer and another edition due to take place in 2022, how do you envisage the European Games coexisting alongside this new model?

Niels Nygaard: The two competitions complement each other well, with the European Games remaining Europe’s only continental Games, bringing together the best athletes from Olympic and non-Olympic sports and serving as qualifiers for the Olympic Games.

At the European Olympic Committees, it is our job to promote sport at all levels across the continent. We are pleased at the success of both our European Games and the recent European Championships, which are clear indications that sport is alive and well in Europe. If these events help to inspire people, especially young people, to take up a sport or get active then we can say that we are successfully delivering our mandate.

Host City: During the World Sailing Championships this year, IOC President Thomas Bach said that Denmark could organise a fantastic Olympic Games. Obviously 2032 is a long way away but can you envisage Denmark bidding and how might this work?

Niels Nygaard: We are of course flattered that the IOC President believes Denmark could organise Olympic Summer Games sometime in the future. I do not see it feasible for Denmark to host the Games alone, since we would have to build to many new facilities in sports where we are not strong today.

With reference to Olympic Agenda 2020, I could see Sweden, Norway and Denmark together could host the Games. This would require that the Governments and the people of Sweden, Norway and Denmark would like the three countries to have a much closer cooperation in political, business and cultural matters. In this case hosting the Olympic Games together could be a strong catalyst for such a stronger cooperation.

Niels Nygaard, President, National Olympic Committee and Sports Confederation of Denmark and Vice President, European Olympic Committees is speaking at Host City 2018 in Glasgow on 20-21 November. Register here today.

Minsk, Belarus; 4 March 2018: European Olympic Committees (EOC) President Janez Kocijančič led a successful three-day visit to Minsk and was satisfied with the progress of preparations for the second edition of the European Games, which are to be held in the Belarussian capital from 21-30 June 2019.

President Kocijančič was joined by the EOC’s Minsk 2019 European Games Coordination Commission (CoCom), led by Chair Spyros Capralos and Vice Chair Zlatko Mateša, as well as a group of EOC experts. The EOC team also included EOC Vice-President Niels Nygaard and EOC Secretary General Raffaele Pagnozzi.

Over the three days, President Kocijančič led the EOC team at a number of meetings to receive an update on the EOC’s flagship event, including one with President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko.

Speaking after this meeting, President Kocijančič said he that he is eagerly awaiting the start of the second European Games: “The European Olympic Committees is fully satisfied with the preparations that have been made so far, and we are looking forward to the future with optimism and confidence. The Minsk 2019 European Games Organising Committee (MEGOC) has highly-qualified, welltrained, professional staff working hard to deliver an excellent second edition of the Games.”

President Kocijančič also congratulated President Lukashenko on the results of the Belarusian athletes at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games, where they won two gold medals and one silver: “I would like to congratulate the Belarusian team for finishing 15th in the PyeongChang 2018 medal table. This was a great effort and reflects the high level of sporting competence here in Belarus. Belarus is not only a country that performs well on the field of play, it is also a country with world-class sporting infrastructure and organisation. Because of this, we are very confident that the European Games will be a resounding success.” 

[Source: EOC] The European Olympic Committees (EOC) on 26^th January held its first meeting of the year, with IOC President Thomas Bach in attendance. The meeting’s key outcome was the appointment of Spyros Capralos as Chair of the EOC Coordination Commission for the second edition of the European Games in 2019 in Minsk, Belarus.

EOC Acting President Janez Kocijančič opened the day’s proceedings in Lausanne by welcoming President Bach and thanking him for his guidance of the Olympic Movement throughout 2016. President Bach then gave an update on the IOC’s latest activities, especially in the area of anti-doping, and answered questions from Executive Committee members.

EOC Acting President Janez Kocijančič said: “It was a great honour to have IOC President Bach attend our first meeting of 2017 in the Olympic capital. President Bach provided a full update on all current key issues from across the Olympic Movement and, in response, the EOC Executive Committee expressed our unanimous support for the IOC’s handling of the completed McLaren Report concerning doping in Russia.

“The IOC’s approach on this matter – which was consistent with its approach towards Russia’s participation in the Olympic Games in Rio – respects the rule of law in a fair and objective way and the EOC fully supports this.”

Following President Bach’s departure, the Executive Committee received reports from Secretary General Raffaele Pagnozzi, Treasurer Kikis Lazarides, and European Games Senior Consultant Pierce O’Callaghan.

Capralos’s appointment as Coordination Commission Chair for Minsk 2019 was then confirmed by unanimous approval from Executive Committee members. Capralos, the President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, is taking on the same role he occupied from 2013-2015 for the inaugural European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan.

On Capralos’s appointment, Kocijančič said: “Spyros’s chairing of the Baku 2015 Coordination Commission was very impressive and we are delighted that he is able to continue in this role for Minsk 2019. We are very excited that preparations for the second European Games are gathering speed in Minsk.”

The first Coordination Commission visit to Minsk is expected in the spring.

EOC Coordination Commission Chair for Minsk 2019, Spyros Capralos, said: “I am very happy to be taking on this responsibility once again. The Coordination Commission has a vital role to play in shaping the final concept of the European Games and my work starts with immediate effect. My commission members will make sure that the EOC’s experience of delivering Baku 2015 is passed on to the Minsk 2019 European Games Organising Committee in the best possible way.”

The Executive Committee also received positive progress updates about the upcoming Winter European Youth Olympic Festival in Erzurum, Turkey, which is taking place from 11-18 February.

EOC Acting President Kocijančič praised the Turkish Olympic Committee and the Erzurum 2017 Organising Committee for their hard work in staging the event just two years after agreeing that Erzurum would host the event in 2017 rather than in 2019, as had been originally agreed.

The IOC Executive Board on Tuesday said it will no longer back the 2019 European Games, set to take place in Russia, and has asked all Winter Olympic Sports Federations to find alternative host nations for any upcoming events. 
These immediate decisions are part of a number of IOC responses to the World Anti-Doping Association (WADA)’s “Independent Person” report into doping in Russia. 
“The IOC will not organise or give patronage to any sports event or meeting in Russia. This includes plans for the European Games 2019 organised by the European Olympic Committees (EOC),” the IOC Executive Board said in a statement. 
“Because of the detailed references to the manipulation of samples during the Olympic Winter Games Sochi 2014 the IOC asks all International Olympic Winter Sports Federations to freeze their preparations for major events in Russia, such as World Championships, World Cups or other major international competitions under their responsibility, and to actively look for alternative organisers,” it added.
“The findings of the report show a shocking and unprecedented attack on the integrity of sports and on the Olympic Games,” said IOC President Thomas Bach. “Therefore, the IOC will not hesitate to take the toughest sanctions available against any individual or organisation implicated.”
The report, by “independent person” Richard McLaren was instigated after Grigory Rodchenkov, former director of Russia’s Moscow and Sochi antidoping laboratories, blew the whistle on cover-ups.
“WADA is grateful to Richard McLaren, his team, and other contributors that, together, helped provide us with a fact-based path forward today as it relates to allegations and other information provided by Dr. Rodchenkov,” said Sir Craig Reedie, President of WADA said in a statement.
“Shamefully, the McLaren Report corroborates the allegations, exposing a modus operandi of serious manipulation of the doping control process in the satellite laboratory set up in Sochi for the 2014 Games; and, the Moscow laboratory since 2011 and after the Sochi Games.
“Not only does the evidence implicate the Russian Ministry of Sport in running a doping system that’s sole aim was to subvert the doping control process, it also states that there was active participation and assistance of the Federal Security Service and the Center of Sports Preparation of National Teams of Russia.”
The IOC has now started “disciplinary actions related to the involvement of officials within the Russian Ministry of Sports and other persons mentioned in the report because of violations of the Olympic Charter and the World Anti-Doping Code”.
The Report could result in a complete ban on Russian athletes participating in the 2016 Olympic Games, due to start in Rio de Janeiro on 5 August. 
In the statement, the IOC said it will “carefully evaluate the IP Report. It will explore the legal options with regard to a collective ban of all Russian athletes for the Olympic Games 2016 versus the right to individual justice. In this respect, the IOC will have to take the CAS decision on 21 July 2016 concerning the IAAF rules into consideration, as well as the World Anti-Doping Code and the Olympic Charter.”

For the full IOC Executive Board statement click here.