The European Games 2015 ( Azerb. 2015 Avropa Oyunları ; Eng. 2015 European Games ) - the first ever European Games that took place in the capital of Azerbaijan , Baku from June 12 to 28, 2015 [3] [4] . Rowing competitions were held in the city of Mingechevir . 253 sets of awards were played at the Games and 5730 athletes from fifty countries of Europe took partwho competed in thirty sports, in eleven of which were licensed for the 2016 Summer Olympics .
| European Games 2015 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Host city |  Baku , Azerbaijan |
| Member countries | 50 |
| Number of Athletes | 5730 (3235 men, 2495 women) [1] |
| Medals being played | 253 in 30 sports |
| The opening ceremony | June 12, 2015 |
| Opened | Ilham Aliyev |
| Closing ceremony | June 28, 2015 |
| the fire | Ilham Zakiev [approx. one] Nargiz Nasirzade and Aydemir Aydemirov [2] |
| Stadium | Olympic Stadium |
| Site | |
The opening ceremony of the games took place on June 12, 2015. and the closing ceremony is June 28 .
The official budget of the games amounted to $ 1.12 billion , 600 thousand tickets were issued for sale , and about twenty thousand volunteers took part in the preparation for the Games . 1248 media representatives were accredited to the Games [5] , the first European Games were broadcast in more than 50 countries of the world .
The best result at the Games was achieved by the Russian team, having won 164 medals, including 79 gold, 40 silver and 45 bronze. The second place went to the national team of Azerbaijan , on the account of which 56 medals, of which 21 were gold. The third place went to the UK team, which won 47 medals, 18 of which were gold. In the number of medals, the second place was taken by the German team with 66 medals .
Media and international human rights organizations noted repressions against civil society institutions unprecedented for post-Soviet Azerbaijan during the preparation and holding of the Games; Azerbaijani officials denied these allegations .
City Selection
The idea of holding the European Games belongs to the head of the European Olympic Committee, Patrick Hickey . Initially, games were supposed to be held in Belarus, but after an official refusal, Hickey turned to Azerbaijan [6] . The decision to hold the first ever European Games was made on December 8, 2012 at the 41st General Assembly of the European Olympic Committee , held in Rome , at the headquarters of the Italian National Olympic Committee in the Foro Italico sports complex. As a result of a secret ballot, 38 of the 48 countries of the General Assembly voted in favor of Baku , which was the only candidate on the list [7] , 8 were against, and two abstained. Thus, the capital of the first European Games in the history of 2015 was Baku.
Organization
Organizing Committee
By the decree of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev dated January 17, 2013, an Organizing Committee was established to hold the first European Games in 2015 in Baku. According to this decree, Mehriban Aliyeva was appointed chairman of the committee. The Organizing Committee also included [8] :
- Hajibala Abutalibov , head of the Baku City Executive Power, member of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Azerbaijan
- Azad Rahimov , Minister of Youth and Sports of Azerbaijan, Vice President of the NOC, member of the Executive Committee of the NOC
- Elmar Mammadyarov , Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan
- Shahin Mustafayev , Minister of Economic Development of Azerbaijan
- Samir Sharifov , Minister of Finance of Azerbaijan
- Ramil Usubov , Minister of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan
- Eldar Makhmudov , Minister of National Security of Azerbaijan
- Zia Mammadov , Minister of Transport of Azerbaijan, member of the NOC
- Ogtay Shiraliyev , Minister of Health of Azerbaijan
- Abulfas Garayev , Minister of Culture and Tourism of Azerbaijan
- Ali Abbasov , Minister of Communications and Information Technologies of Azerbaijan
- Ali Asadov , Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan
- Fatma Abdullazade , head of the humanitarian policy department of the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan, member of the NOC
- Elchin Guliyev , Head of the State Border Service of Azerbaijan
- Aydin Aliyev , Chairman of the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan
- Jahangir Askerov , President of Azerbaijan Airlines CJSC, member of the NOC
- Etibar Pirverdiyev , President of Azerenerji OJSC
- Baba Rzayev , Chairman of Bakielektrikshebeke OJSC
- Chingiz Huseynzadeh , Vice President of the NOC, Member of the Executive Committee of the NOC
- Anar Alekperov , Director of the Heydar Aliyev Center
- Agadzhan Abiyev , Secretary General of the NOC, member of the Executive Committee of the NOC
- Farhad Hajiyev , Executive Director of the Youth Foundation under the President of Azerbaijan
- Mikail Jabbarov , Minister of Education
- Ilham Madatov , head of the sports delegation of Azerbaijan at the XXIX and XXX summer Olympic Games, member of the NOC (Secretary of the Organizing Committee)
- Namig Abdullaev , Olympic champion, member of the NOC Executive Committee
- Zemfira Meftakhetdinova , Olympic champion, member of the NOC Executive Committee
- Farid Mansurov , Olympic champion, member of the NOC
- Elnur Mammadli , Olympic champion, member of the NOC
- Togrul Askerov , Olympic champion
- Sharif Sharifov , Olympic champion
The first meeting of the Organizing Committee was held on February 8, 2013 under the chairmanship of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev [9] .
On July 12, 2013, the games organizing committee launched the official games website (www.baku2015.com). Also, on the day the site was opened, 700 days before the start of the games, a counter was launched that counted the days until the start of the first European games [10] . The “700 days” countdown was demonstrated on a digital panorama on the walls of the Flaming Towers [11] and on the field TV screens installed in the center of Baku [10] .
June 12, 2014 began the countdown to the start of the games. The day was celebrated in Baku with fireworks held in the National Seaside Park [12] .
According to the decree of the Chairman of the Organizing Committee Mehriban Aliyeva, the Operational Committee of the European Games of Baku 2015 was created. The chief executive director of the committee is Azad Rahimov, Minister of Youth and Sports of Azerbaijan. The chief operating officer is Simon Clegg , a former executive director of the British Olympic Association .
Game Budget
The official budget of the games amounted to $ 1.12 billion, while the bulk of it totals 960 million manat ($ 915.8 million) [13] [14] . According to the BBC, the official is $ 1.2 billion, but real costs, according to the BBC , may be higher.
According to the BBC estimates, expenditures from the state budget for games for 2013-2015 are more than $ 5 billion, and the official figure of 1 billion is only expenditures from the 2015 budget. The economist Natick Jafarli points out that in addition to the main ones, there are additional expenses allocated in the budget. The costs of infrastructure projects indirectly related to the European Games, such as the construction of some roads, road junctions and bridges, as well as the purchase of subway cars and trains, are presented by the government as other expenses and do not add them to the budget for the Games [15] . Some independent analysts estimate the costs of the European Games at $ 9 billion [16] .
The cost of the Olympic stadium alone exceeds $ 600 million [17] . The opening ceremony cost about $ 100 million [18] , twice as much as the opening ceremony of the London Summer Olympics [19] . The closing ceremony cost the same [5] .
Azerbaijan initially incurred the costs of arrival, accommodation and departure of all delegations [20] participating in the Games, but the expenses of the Armenian delegation were paid by the businessman NOC president Gagik Tsarukyan [21] .
Tickets
Online sales were launched on the official website [22] . 12 ticket sales offices were opened [23] . All other tickets during the games (from June 12) are available at ticket offices located in all venues of the competition.
The Baku-2015 Committee announced that tickets for sports competitions will cost from 2 to 5 manats for adults, depending on the stage of the competition (for example, preliminary or final), venue and category of spectator seats. Children and adolescents under the age of 16 will be admitted free of charge, but accompanied by an adult (over 18 years old) who must have an identity card and a valid ticket. The only exception was the competition held at the Heydar Aliyev Arena and at the National Gymnastics Arena, where a ticket for those under the age of 16 costs 1 manat.
At the opening and closing ceremonies, ticket prices were the same for spectators of all ages. The ticket price for the opening ceremony was from 20 manat, and for the closing ceremony - from 10 manat.
In total, 600 thousand tickets were issued for sale [24] .
Volunteers
About 20 thousand volunteers, both operating and participants in the opening and closing ceremonies, were involved in the preparation for the European Games [25] . The absolute majority of them are young people [26] .
The Game Operations Committee (BEGOC) announced that the volunteers of the First European Games will be referred to as the "Keepers of Fire." Volunteers are entrusted with the performance of key responsibilities during the Games, including providing assistance to athletes and officials, performing certain tasks during sports competitions, and providing their assistance to spectators and media representatives [27] . “Keepers of fire” have the opportunity to use public transport for free to get to facilities, and are also provided with uniforms, meals and SIM cards from the mobile operator Nar Mobile , which is an official partner of the Baku-2015 volunteer program [27] .
At the opening and closing ceremonies of the same games will be attended by about 6 thousand volunteers [28] .
Transport
During the first European Games in order to reduce the density of transport in Baku from June 1 to June 30, trucks are not allowed to enter the city, and personal cars registered in the districts due to the organization of convenient and continuous movement of pedestrians and vehicles in the city are not will be missed in Baku. For cars arriving from areas in Baku during the I European Games, free parking is created. At the same time, drivers arriving from the Sumgayit side can leave their cars in the territory of the Riyadh shopping center, from the Shemakha side - not far from the Mushvig post, and from the direction of Kurdamir and Astara - on the 14th km of the Alat highway [29] .
During the European Games, Baku’s public transport switched to a 20-hour work schedule - from 05:00 to 01:00, and by the end of June, employees of the Ministry of Transport of Azerbaijan will work in heavy duty [30] . Also, in the framework of optimizing and improving the work of public transport, in connection with the Euro Games and in general to prevent traffic density, out of 310 bus routes in Baku, 170 were reduced, and the route of some was changed [31] .
From June 19 until the end of the week, that is, until the cycling competitions are fully completed within the framework of the European Games, traffic will be blocked on the central streets of Baku [32] .
In order to increase the level of public transport for taxi drivers, special free English courses were organized to increase their language base [33] . Participants of the European Games, guests and persons identified by the organizing committee, as well as people who have a pass to the Euro Games, are provided with free white London taxi services. Experienced and professional drivers who attended foreign language courses, as well as trainings on handling passengers were involved in the provision of services [34] .
Spectators who have tickets for the competition can use the metro services for free during the Games. For this, along with tickets, they must present an identity card at the entrance [35] . Spectators can also take advantage of the free express bus services. To do this, you must present a ticket and an identity card. The bus stops are located near the metro stations “January 20”, “Elmlyar Akademiyasy”, “Azadlig Prospect”, “Ganjlik”, “Gara Garayev” and “Khalglar merit”. After the end of the competition, it is also possible to leave the arena for free by express buses and metro [36] .
Sponsor Support
The official partners of the European Games are Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL), The Coca-Cola Company , BP , Kapital Bank, Nar Mobile , Procter & Gamble , SOCAR , Tissot , Nestlé , Azerkosmos , Azersun, Bazarstore, McDonald's , Milla, Motorola , Naz , Sitecore , Tickethour [37] .
At the same time, AZAL announced that by presenting an accreditation pass to the European Games, foreign citizens can purchase tickets for AZAL flights around the world by the end of 2015 with a 50 percent discount [38] . Coca-Cola in April 2015, together with the Games Operational Committee, presented a commercial and hymn dedicated to the Games [39] . Tissot became the official timekeeper of the 2015 European Games in Baku [40] . McDonald's, in turn, developed a special menu dedicated to the first European Games [41] . Azerkosmos OJSC has become the official broadcaster of games via the Azerspace-1 satellite [42] .
On March 16, 2015, a partnership agreement was signed between UNICEF and the Baku-2015 European Games Operational Committee [43] .
Symbols
Emblem
On January 25, 2013, the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Azerbaijan Republic announced an open competition for the development of the logo of the first European Games of 2015. The prize fund of the competition was: 5000 ($ 6410), 3000 ($ 3846) and 2000 ($ 2564) manats, for I, II and III places respectively. [44] [45]
On November 23, the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Baku hosted the presentation of the logo of the First European Games, authored by 35-year-old Adam Yunisov [46] . According to the artist’s idea, this sign combined five characters: fire, water, a phoenix bird, carpet elements and the main national fruit - pomegranate [47] . Yunisov, who was also present at the presentation, emphasized that in his work when creating the symbol of the games he strove to “convey the pride of the Azerbaijani people and their readiness to host the European Sports Olympiad” [48] . Azerbaijani Minister of Youth and Sports Azad Rahimov said that the logo reflects the Azerbaijani commitment to the traditions of hospitality [48] .
In November 2013, the Spanish football club Atletico Madrid [49] [50] and the French Lance [51] appeared in t-shirts with the logo of the 1st European Games.
Talismans
On November 25, 2014, the Operational Committee of the European Games of Baku 2015, at the official ceremony, solemnly presented the images of Jeyran ( gazelle ) and Nara ( garnet ) as official competition mascots.
It was noted that Jeyran and Pomegranate reflect the history of Azerbaijan and its promising future.
Jeyran will become the cultural ambassador of the Games, giving guests an idea of the rich heritage of Azerbaijan, and Nar will symbolize unity in Azerbaijani folklore and be widely used in the colorful brand of Baku-2015. [52] [53]
Jeyran is considered a symbol of grace, natural beauty, grace and purity in Azerbaijan and is protected by the state. In turn, Nar (pomegranate) is a fruit that loves sunlight, which is a symbol of life and energy. The birthplace of this fruit in Azerbaijan is Goychay , where the traditional Pomegranate Festival is held annually. [54]
Medals
On March 4, 2015, a presentation of the European Games medals was held, dedicated to the countdown of the last 100 days before the start of the games. The presentation was attended by Olympic champion, wrestler Namik Abdullaev , Paralympic judo champion Ilham Zakiev and winner of the Youth Olympics , wrestler Teymur Mammadov [55] .
Medals are made by the Azerbaijan company Azersuvenir. The Euro Games logo is displayed on the front of the medals, and the emblem and verbal trademark of the European Olympic Committee is on the back. The design of the medals was created by Adamas jewelry company in collaboration with Azerbaijani artist Nargiz Huseynova. The weight of the medal is 380 grams [55]
Game Fire
during the opening ceremony of the games
The fire of the first European Games was lit in the museum and historical complex Ateshgah . After this, the relay race of the “Euro Games” fire to various parts of Azerbaijan took 48 days. The relay passed in 60 cities and regions of Azerbaijan. According to the Minister of Youth and Sports of Azerbaijan, Azad Rahimov, the Ateshgah museum and historical complex was chosen as the place for lighting the fire of games, as it is "an ideal place for such a process." Euro Games fire was delivered to Baku on June 7. The total length of the route of the fire amounted to more than 5.5 thousand km. More than 1 thousand athletes took part in the torch relay, 132 vehicles were involved [56] .
Opening Ceremony
The opening ceremony of the 1st European Games was held on June 12, 2015 at the Olympic Stadium in Baku. The Games were officially opened by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. By tradition, a parade of nations was held, which opened by Greece, and was completed by representatives of the host team - Azerbaijan. Athletes from Kosovo during the parade of delegations of participating countries for the first time passed under their own flag [57] .
The opening ceremony was attended by the head of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Thomas Bach , as well as the heads of 6 states whose athletes took part in the competition: Russian President Vladimir Putin , Prince Monaco Albert II , Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko , Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan , President of Serbia Tomislav Nikolic , President of Montenegro Filip Vuyanovich . In addition, the President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and the President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon attended the opening ceremony [58] . The torch was brought to the stage by judoka Ilham Zakiev (accompanied by taekwondo player Said Guliyev ) [58] . The fire of the games was lit by a woman (Nargiz Nasirzade) and a man (Aydemir Aydemirov) [2] .Lady Gaga also performed at the opening ceremony , performing the song “ Imagine ” [58] .
A number of European Union leaders ignored the opening ceremony [59] .
Competition
Acrobatics, gymnastics, trampolining and athletics (left) and diving, boxing, fencing and swimming (right) on postage stamps of Azerbaijan | ||||||||||
Kayaking and canoeing, shooting, triathlon and cycling (left) and archery, wrestling, volleyball and table tennis (right) on postage stamps of Azerbaijan | ||||||||||
В программу Европейских игр вошло 20 видов спорта, 16 олимпийских и 4 неолимпийских.
К концу 2012 года были известны 13 видов спорта, которые будут представлены на Играх. Это были стрельба из лука , бадминтон , бокс , гребля на байдарках и каноэ , фехтование , гандбол , дзюдо , регби-7 , стрельба , тхэквондо , настольный теннис , триатлон и волейбол . Также в декабре 2012 по поводу включения карате в программу игр была достигнута договорённость, а также подписано соглашение о намерениях между Европейскими олимпийскими комитетами (EOC) и Всемирной федерацией каратэ (WKF). Кроме того предполагалось, что вторым неолимпийским видом спорта станут спортивные танцы [60] .
В январе 2013 года соревнования по гимнастике были включены в программу Европейских игр 2015 года [61] .
В марте 2013 года в программу игр была включена борьба [62] . Кроме того, из-за включения борьбы в программу первых Европейских игр чемпионат Европы по борьбе в 2015 году проводиться не будет [63] .
В мае 2013 года своё участие в Играх подтвердила Международная ассоциация любительского бокса (AIBA) [64] .
В сентябре 2013 года Европейскими олимпийскими комитетами и Операционным Комитетом Европейских игр Баку 2015 было принято решение о включении в игры соревнований ещё по двум дисциплинам в гимнастике — в акробатике и аэробике . В соревнованиях по акробатике будут представлены смешанные пары и женские группы, в турнире по аэробике также выступят комбинированные дуэты и группы в составе пяти гимнастов. Следует отметить, что квалификация на игры 2015 по аэробике начались на ноябрьском чемпионате Европы во Франции. Таким образом, гимнастика на Европейских играх в Баку будет представлена художественной гимнастикой , мужской и женской спортивной гимнастикой , прыжками на батуте , акробатикой и аэробикой. Соревнования пройдут с 12 по 28 июня 2015 года на Национальной гимнастической арене [65] .
В ноябре 2013 года плавание , прыжки в воду , синхронное плавание и водное поло были официально включены в программу I Европейских игр. Сборные континента будут представлены юниорскими составами [66] . В связи с тем, что по плаванию будет проходить чемпионат Европы, соревнования в этом виде спорта будут соревнованиями среди юниоров [6] .
В феврале 2014 года в программу Европейских игр вошла лёгкая атлетика . Поскольку лёгкая атлетика также уже имеет свой объявленный чемпионат Европы [6] , соревнования по лёгкой атлетике будут одновременно соревнованиями 3-й лиги командного чемпионата Европы , которые пройдут на Олимпийском стадионе [67] . В связи с включением в программу игр лёгкой атлетики количество участников достигло 6000 [68] .
29 августа 2014 года было объявлено, что в программу Европейских игр вошло самбо [69] [70] .
Соревнования проходили по 30 видам спорта [71] :
- Acrobatics
- Аэробика
- Badminton
- Basketball 3x3
- Boxing
- Wrestling
- Вольная
- Греко-римская
- Женская
- Cycling
- Шоссейные гонки
- Mountain bike
- BMX
- Water polo
- Volleyball
- Kayaking and Canoeing
- Judo
- Karate
- Athletics
- Swimming
- Подводное плавание (показательные выступления)
- Beach volleyball
- Beach football
- Прыжки на батуте
- Diving
- Table tennis
- Sambo
- Synchronized swimming
- Gymnastics
- Shooting
- Стрельба из лука
- Triathlon
- Taekwondo
- Fencing
- Rhythmic gymnastics
Следует также отметить, что в одиннадцати видах спорта (велоспорт, стрельба из лука, лёгкая атлетика, бокс, плавание, настольный теннис, тхэквондо, триатлон, пляжный волейбол, борьба и стрельба) будут разыграны лицензии на Олимпийские игры 2016 [72] .
Помимо этого в рамках Евроигр пройдут соревнования по паралимпийскому дзюдо . Соревнования пройдут в двух категориях — в весе свыше 90 кг у мужчин и до 57 кг у женщин [73] [74] .
Acrobatics
Соревнования по акробатике прошли с 17 по 21 июня в Национальной гимнастической арене . 48 спортсменов разыграли четыре комплекта медалей. Соревнования прошли по трём дисциплинам среди женских команд и смешанных команд. Представители 4 стран стали призёрами соревнований. Лучшего результата на Играх добилась сборная России , выигравшая все золотые медали в смешанных командах, и Бельгии , выигравшая все золотые медали в женских командах.
Аэробика
Соревнования по аэробике прошли с 17 по 21 июня в Национальной гимнастической арене . 58 спортсменов разыграли два комплекта медалей. Соревнования прошли среди смешанных пар и смешанных команд. Представители 5 стран стали призёрами соревнований. Лучшего результата на Играх добилась сборная Испании , выигравшая две медали, одна из которых золотая в смешанных парах. Победителем соревнований среди смешанных команд стала сборная Венгрии .
Бадминтон
Соревнования по бадминтону, прошли с 22 по 28 июня во Дворце спорта . Было разыграно пять комплектов наград, по две в мужском и женском одиночном и парном разрядах, а также в миксте. Обладателями трёх золотых комплектов наград стали бадминтонисты Дании по одной золотой медали выиграли представители Болгарии и Испании . В соревнованиях приняло участие 160 спортсменов. Всего призёрами Игр стали представители 10 стран.
Баскетбол
Соревнования по баскетболу прошли с 23 по 26 июня в Баскетбольной арене . 128 спортсменов (16 команд) разыграли два комплекта медалей. Соревнования проходили по баскетболу 3x3 среди мужчин и женщин. Представители 4 стран стали призёрами соревнований. Лучшего результата на Играх добилась сборная России , ставшая победителем в обоих соревнованиях. Второе место среди мужчин досталось команде Испании , а среди женщин — Украине . Бронзовую медаль выиграли Сербия (среди мужчин) и Испания (среди женщин)
Бокс
Соревнования по боксу, прошли с 16 по 27 июня в Бакинском кристальном зале . 296 спортсменов (214 мужчин и 80 женщин) разыграли пятнадцать комплектов медалей. Соревнования прошли в десяти весовых категориях среди мужчин и пяти — среди женщин. Представители 16 стран стали призёрами соревнований. Лучшего результата на Играх добилась сборная Азербайджана , выигравшая 11 медалей, 6 из которых были золотыми.
Fight
Соревнования по борьбе, прошли с 13 по 18 июня в Арене имени Гейдара Алиева . 400 спортсменов из 39 стран разыграли восемнадцать комплектов медалей. Соревнования прошли по вольной и греко-римской борьбе . Мужчины участвовали в обеих дисциплинах, а женщины — только в вольной. Представители 18 стран стали призёрами соревнований. Лучшего результата на играх добилась сборная России , выигравшая 18 медалей, 11 из которых были золотыми.
Велоспорт
Состязания по велоспорту прошли с 13 по 28 июня. Маунтинбайк и BMX прошли в соответствующих велопарках (для маунтинбайка и BMX), а шоссейные гонки были проведены на различных улицах Баку . В соревнованиях приняло участие 346 спортсменов, разыгравшие 8 комплектов наград. Лучшего результата добились сборные Швейцарии и Белоруссии , представители которых 2 раз поднимались на высшую ступень пьедестала почёта, по одной золотой медали были выиграны спортсменами Нидерландов , Дании , Франции и Испании . В маунтинбайке все медали, за исключением бронзовой в соревнованиях у женщин, были выиграны спортсменами из Швейцарии. При этом швейцарка Йоланда Нефф выиграла первую в истории золотую медаль Европейских игр [75] .
Водное поло
Соревнования по водному поло, прошли с 12 по 21 июня в Арена водного поло . 364 спортсменов (208 мужчин из 16 стран и 156 женщин из 12 стран) разыграли два комплекта медалей, среди мужчин и женщин. Представители 4 стран стали призёрами соревнований. Победителем среди мужчин стала сборная Сербии , а среди женщин — сборная России . Сборные Испании и Греции взялии соответственно серебряные и бронзовые медали в обеих дисциплинах.
Волейбол
Турнир по волейболу, прошёл с 13 по 28 июня . В волейболе на паркетном покрытии, который проходил в Бакинском кристальном зале , приняли участие по 12 мужских и женских сборных, а в пляжном — 32 мужских и 31 женская пара. Было разыграно 4 комплекта наград. Победителем среди мужчин на паркете стала сборная Германии , а среди женщин — Турции . Сильнейшей женской сборной по пляжному волейболу стала команда Швейцарии . В мужском же турнире победу одержала сборная Латвии .
Гребля на байдарках и каноэ
Соревнования по гребле на байдарках и каноэ, прошли с 14 по 16 июня в Олимпийском учебно-спортивном центре «Кюр» в городе Мингечевир . 350 спортсменов разыграли пятнадцать комплектов медалей. Представители 17 стран стали призёрами соревнований. Лучшего результата на Играх добилась сборная Венгрии , выигравшая 10 медалей, 5 из которых были золотыми. Также немец Макс Хофф , венгеры Золтан Каммерер и Данута Козак , а также белорусска Марина Литвинчук стали двукратными чемпионами Европейских игр.
Judo
Соревнования по дзюдо, прошли с 25 по 28 июня в Арене имени Гейдара Алиева . 350 спортсменов (209 мужчин и 141 женщин) разыграли шестнадцать комплектов медалей. В рамках соревнований проходили и состязания среди паралимпийцев — в весе 90 кг и выше у мужчин и до 75 кг у женщин. А в связи с тем, что Чемпионат Европы по дзюдо 2015 года пройдёт в Баку в рамках Европейских игр, Европейский союз дзюдо лишил британский Глазго права на проведение чемпионата Европы-2015, который должен был пройти в апреле. Представители 20 стран стали призёрами соревнований. Лучшего результата на играх добились сборные Франция , России и Нидерландов , выигравшие по 3 золотые медали. В командных же турнирах, как среди мужчин, так и среди женщин, победу одержали команды из Франции.
Карате
Соревнования по карате, прошли 13 и 14 июня в Бакинском кристальном зале . 96 спортсменов из 38 стран разыграли двенадцать комплектов медалей. Соревнования прошли по двум дисциплинам — среди мужчин и среди женщин. Представители 12 стран стали призёрами соревнований. Лучшего результата на Играх добилась сборная Азербайджана , выигравшая 6 медалей, 4 из которых были золотыми.
Athletics
Соревнования по лёгкой атлетике, прошли 21 и 22 июня на Олимпийском стадионе Баку . 600 спортсменов из 13 стран и ассоциации атлетов маленьких государств разыграли один комплект медалей. Соревнования были одновременно соревнованиями 3-й лиги командного чемпионата Европы . Победителем стала сборная Словакии . Второе место досталось Австрии , третье — сборной Израиля .
Настольный теннис
Соревнования по настольному теннису, прошли с 13 по 19 июня во Дворце спорта . 128 спортсменов разыграли четыре комплекта медалей. Соревнования прошли по четырём дисциплинам — индивидуальные и команды среди мужчин и среди женщин. Представители 9 стран стали призёрами соревнований. Лучшего результата на Играх добилась сборная Германии , выигравшая 2 золотые медали.
Swimming
Соревнования по плаванию прошли с 23 по 27 июня во Дворце водных видов спорта . 526 спортсменов разыграли 42 комплекта медалей. Соревнования проходили среди юниоров. Представители 18 стран стали призёрами соревнований. Лучшего результата на Играх добилась сборная России , выигравшая 42 медали, 23 из которых были золотыми. При этом россияне Арина Опёнышева стала семикратной, Мария Каменева и Полина Егорова — шестикратными, а Антон Чупков , Даниил Пахомов и Мария Асташкина — четырёхкратными победителями Игр.
Подводное плавание
Показательные выступления по подводному плаванию, прошли 27 июня . Установлено 2 рекорда Европы , лучшие результаты во всех 4 дисциплинах показали российские спортсмены.
Пляжный футбол
Соревнования по пляжному футболу прошли с 24 по 28 июня на Пляжной арене . 8 команд, каждая из которых состояла из 12 игроков, приняли участие в турнире у мужчин. Этот турнир был единственным чисто мужским турниром на Европейских играх 2015 года. Победителем стала сборная России , второе место досталось сборной Италии , а третье — Португалии .
Прыжки в воду
Соревнования по прыжкам в воду прошли с 17 по 21 июня во Дворце водных видов спорта . 160 спортсменов из 8 стран разыграли восемь комплектов медалей. Соревнования прошли по четырём дисциплинам среди мужчин и по стольким же — среди женщин. Представители 6 стран стали призёрами соревнований. Лучшего результата на Играх добилась сборная Великобритании , выигравшая 6 медалей, 4 из которых были золотыми.
Прыжки на батуте
Соревнования по прыжкам на батуте прошли с 17 по 21 июня в Национальной гимнастической арене . 46 спортсменов разыграли четыре комплекта медалей. Соревнования прошли по двум дисциплинам среди мужчин и по двум — среди женщин. Представители 7 стран стали призёрами соревнований. Лучшего результата на Играх добилась сборная России , выигравшая все 4 золотые медали. Также россияне Дмитрий Ушаков и Яна Павлова стали двукратными чемпионами Европейских игр. На соревнованиях среди мужских пар 19-летний волонтёр Эльчин Алибейли спас польского гимнаста Бартоломея Хеса, прыгнувшего мимо батута. Он буквально на лету подхватил падавшего гимнаста, и оба рухнули на пол. В результате Хес не получил травм [76] [77] .
Самбо
Соревнования по самбо, прошли 22 июня в Арене имени Гейдара Алиева . 77 спортсменов из 22 стран разыграли восемь комплектов медалей. Соревнования прошли среди мужчин и женщин. Представители 10 стран стали призёрами соревнований. Лучшего результата на Играх добилась сборная России , выигравшая 8 медалей, 5 из которых были золотыми.
Синхронное плавание
Соревнования по синхронному плаванию, прошли с 12 по 16 июня во Дворце водных видов спорта . 150 спортсменов из 21 страны разыграли четыре комплекта медалей. Соревнования прошли по четырём дисциплинам. Представители 4 стран стали призёрами соревнований. Лучшего результата на Играх добилась сборная России , выигравшая все 4 золотые медали. При этом россиянки Анисия Неборако , Валерия Филенкова и Дарья Кулагина стали трёхкратными чемпионами Европейских игр.
Спортивная гимнастика
Gymnastics competitions were held from June 14 to 20 at the National Gymnastics Arena . 172 athletes played fourteen sets of medals. Competitions were held in eight disciplines among men and six among women. Representatives of 12 countries became winners of the competition. The best result at the Games was achieved by the Russian team, which won 11 medals, 4 of which were gold. Also, Russian Aliya Mustafina became three-time, and Swiss Julia Steingruber and Ukrainian Oleg Vernyaev became two-time champions of the European Games.
Shooting
Shooting competitions were held from June 16 to 22 at the Baku Rifle Center . 330 athletes played nineteen sets of medals. Competitions were held in nine disciplines among men, six among women, and four among mixed teams. Representatives of 23 countries became winners of the competition. The best result at the Games was achieved by the Italian team, winning 10 medals, 4 of which were gold. Also, Italians Valerio Luchini and Petra Zublasing , and German Christian Reitz became two-time European Games champions.
Archery
Archery competitions were held from June 17 to 22 at the Tofig Bahramov Republican Stadium . 128 athletes played five sets of medals. Competitions were held in two disciplines among men and in two - among women, as well as among mixed teams. Representatives of 8 countries became winners of the competition. The best result at the Games was achieved by the Italian team, who won 2 gold medals. Also, the representative of Italy Natalia Valeeva became a two-time champion of the European Games.
Triathlon
Triathlon competitions were held on June 13 and 14 . 130 athletes from 30 countries played two sets of medals. Competitions were held in two disciplines - among men and among women. Representatives of 6 countries became winners of the competition. The best result at the Games was achieved by the teams of Great Britain and Switzerland , who won one gold medal.
Taekwondo
Taekwondo competitions were held from June 16 to 19 in the Baku Crystal Hall . 128 athletes from 32 countries played eight sets of medals. Competitions were held in two disciplines - among men and among women. Representatives of 12 countries became winners of the competition. The best result at the Games was achieved by the Azerbaijani team, which won 5 medals, 3 of which were gold.
Fencing
Fencing competitions were held from June 22 to 27 in the Baku Crystal Hall . 300 athletes (150 men and 150 women) played twelve sets of medals. Competitions were held in three disciplines (sword, rapier and saber) both among teams and individually - among men and women. Representatives of 11 countries became winners of the competition. The best result at the Games was achieved by the Italian team, winning 11 medals, 3 of which were gold. At the same time, the representative of France Ivan Trevejo and Romanian Ana Maria Brynzé were two-time winners of the European Games.
Rhythmic Gymnastics
Rhythmic gymnastics competitions were held from June 17 to 21 at the National Gymnastics Arena . 180 athletes played eight sets of medals. Individual competitions were held in five disciplines, team - in three. Representatives of 6 countries became winners of the competition. The best result at the Games was achieved by the Russian team, which won 8 medals, 7 of which were gold. Also, Russian Yana Kudryavtseva became the four-time champion of the European Games.
Schedule
The game calendar is as follows [78] :
| CO | The opening ceremony | ● | Qualifications | one | Competition Finals | CH | Closing ceremony |
| June | 12 Fri | 13 Sat | 14 Sun | 15 Mon | sixteen Tue | 17 Wed | 18 Th | nineteen Fri | 20 Sat | 21 Sun | 22 Mon | 23 Tue | 24 Wed | 25 Th | 26 Fri | 27 Sat | 28 Sun | Medals | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ceremonies | CO | CH | |||||||||||||||||
| Acrobatics | ● | 2 | four | 6 | |||||||||||||||
| Aerobics | ● | ● | 2 | 2 | |||||||||||||||
| Badminton | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | 2 | 3 | five | |||||||||||
| Basketball 3x3 | ● | ● | ● | 2 | 2 | ||||||||||||||
| Boxing | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | five | five | five | 15 | ||||||
| Wrestling | four | four | four | four | four | four | 24 | ||||||||||||
| Cycling | 2 | 2 | one | one | ● | ● | 2 | eight | |||||||||||
| Water polo | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | one | one | 2 | ||||||||
| Volleyball | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | one | one | 2 | ||
| Kayaking and Canoeing | ● | five | ten | 15 | |||||||||||||||
| Judo | five | 6 | five | 2 | 18 | ||||||||||||||
| Karate | 6 | 6 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||
| Athletics | ● | one | one | ||||||||||||||||
| Swimming | 7 | eight | 9 | 7 | eleven | 42 | |||||||||||||
| Beach volleyball | ● | ● | ● | ● | one | one | 2 | ||||||||||||
| Beach football | ● | ● | ● | ● | one | one | |||||||||||||
| Diving | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | eight | ||||||||||||||
| Trampoline Jumping | ● | ● | four | four | |||||||||||||||
| Table tennis | ● | ● | 2 | ● | ● | ● | 2 | four | |||||||||||
| Sambo | eight | eight | |||||||||||||||||
| Synchronized swimming | ● | ● | ● | 2 | 2 | four | |||||||||||||
| Gymnastics | ● | 2 | 2 | ten | 14 | ||||||||||||||
| Shooting | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | nineteen | |||||||||||
| Archery | ● | one | 2 | ● | ● | one | one | five | |||||||||||
| Triathlon | one | one | 2 | ||||||||||||||||
| Taekwondo | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | eight | ||||||||||||||
| Fencing | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 12 | |||||||||||||
| Rhythmic gymnastics | one | one | 6 | eight | |||||||||||||||
| Medals per day | 13 | eleven | 15 | 21 | eleven | sixteen | eleven | 18 | 25 | 13 | 9 | ten | 21 | 23 | 27 | 9 | 253 | ||
| Medals total | 13 | 24 | 39 | 60 | 71 | 87 | 98 | 116 | 141 | 154 | 163 | 173 | 194 | 217 | 244 | 253 | |||
| June | 12 Fri | 13 Sat | 14 Sun | 15 Mon | sixteen Tue | 17 Wed | 18 Th | nineteen Fri | 20 Sat | 21 Sun | 22 Mon | 23 Tue | 24 Wed | 25 Th | 26 Fri | 27 Sat | 28 Sun | Medals | |
Member Countries
The first European Games involved 6067 athletes from 50 countries [1] . The following table shows the countries participating in the Games.
In parentheses indicate the number of athletes [79] .
|
|
|
Winners
Closing Ceremony
The closing ceremony of the games, called “Awakening”, took place on June 28 with the performance of the anthem of Azerbaijan by participants of the Eurovision song contest Farid Mammadov and Sabina Babaeva against the background of the model of the Maiden Tower in a new symphonic arrangement. Then a synthesis of Azerbaijani folk music and rock took place. In place of the Maiden Tower model, a model of the “ Flaming Towers ”, which are the symbol of modern Azerbaijan, was formed. After the salute, viewers on a large screen installed in the center of the stadium saw a mini-film about the role of volunteers in the first European Games. After that, the athletes participating in the Games carried the flags of their countries to the stadium. The ceremony was attended by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, speeches by Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the First European Games Mehriban Aliyeva and President of the European Olympic Committee Patrick Hikki, as well as President of Bulgaria Rosen Plevneliev , Chairman of the State Duma of Russia Sergey Naryshkin , representatives of the International Olympic Committee. During his speech, Patrick Hickey declared the Games closed [80] . During the closing ceremony, John Newman and the British electric band Clean Bandit also performed [81] .
Medal standings
Representatives of 42 countries became winners of the Games. The best result at the Games was achieved by the Russian team, having won 164 medals, including 79 gold, 40 silver and 45 bronze. The second place went to the national team of Azerbaijan , on the account of which 56 medals, of which 21 were gold. The third place went to the UK team, which won 47 medals, 18 of which were gold. In terms of the number of medals, the second place went to the German team with 66 medals. Only 8 countries have not won a single medal. These are the teams of Albania , Andorra , Bosnia and Herzegovina , Iceland , Liechtenstein , Luxembourg , Malta and Monaco . Bold indicates the largest number of medals in its category; host country also highlighted.
| Total number of medals | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A place | A country | Gold | Silver | Bronze | |
| one | Russia | 79 | 40 | 45 | 164 |
| 2 | Azerbaijan | 21 | 15 | 20 | 56 |
| 3 | Great Britain | 18 | ten | nineteen | 47 |
| four | Germany | sixteen | 17 | 33 | 66 |
| five | France | 12 | 13 | 18 | 43 |
| 6 | Italy | ten | 26 | eleven | 47 |
| 7 | Belarus | ten | eleven | 22 | 43 |
| eight | Ukraine | eight | 14 | 24 | 46 |
| 9 | Netherlands | eight | 12 | 9 | 29th |
| ten | Spain | eight | eleven | eleven | thirty |
| eleven | Hungary | eight | four | eight | 20 |
| 12 | Serbia | eight | four | 3 | 15 |
| 13 | Switzerland | 7 | four | four | 15 |
| 14 | Turkey | 6 | four | nineteen | 29th |
| 15 | Belgium | four | four | 3 | eleven |
| sixteen | Denmark | four | 3 | five | 12 |
| 17 | Romania | 3 | five | four | 12 |
| 18 | Portugal | 3 | four | 3 | ten |
| nineteen | Poland | 2 | eight | ten | 20 |
| 20 | Austria | 2 | 7 | four | 13 |
| 21 | Georgia | 2 | 6 | eight | sixteen |
| 22 | Israel | 2 | four | 6 | 12 |
| 23 | Slovakia | 2 | 2 | 3 | 7 |
| 24 | Lithuania | 2 | one | four | 7 |
| 25 | Ireland | 2 | one | 3 | 6 |
| 26 | Croatia | one | four | 6 | eleven |
| 27 | Bulgaria | one | four | five | ten |
| 28 | Greece | one | four | four | 9 |
| 29th | Sweden | one | 3 | 3 | 7 |
| thirty | Slovenia | one | one | 3 | five |
| 31 | Latvia | one | 0 | one | 2 |
| 32 | Czech | 0 | 2 | five | 7 |
| 33 | Moldova | 0 | one | 2 | 3 |
| Estonia | 0 | one | 2 | 3 | |
| 35 | San marino | 0 | one | one | 2 |
| 36 | Armenia | 0 | one | 0 | one |
| Cyprus | 0 | one | 0 | one | |
| 38 | Macedonia | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Norway | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | |
| 40 | Kosovo | 0 | 0 | one | one |
| Finland | 0 | 0 | one | one | |
| Montenegro | 0 | 0 | one | one | |
| Total | 253 | 253 | 338 | 844 | |
Sports venues
At the end of 2012, the Minister of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Azada Ragimova, announced that temporary sports facilities would be built for some sports. By this time, the Olympic arena with a capacity of 69,870 people was being built in Baku, near the Boyuk-Shor lake, which was already planning to hold the official opening ceremony of the European Games 2015. The construction of the stadium was completed in 2015 [82] .
As the venues for the competitions at the initial stage of preparation for the Games (February 2013), the Heydar Aliyev Sports and Concert Complex , the Tofig Bahramov Republican Stadium , the Baku Crystal Hall , the Serkhedchi Sports Complex, the Hand Games Palace, and the 8 stadium were identified kilometer ”, a shooting stand and the Baku Expo Center . Until 2015, it is planned to complete the construction of the Olympic Stadium, the Center for Water Sports and the Gymnastics Complex , which will also be used during the games [9] . Possible options for the construction of an Olympic village also began to be developed [83] . According to Ragimov, all conditions for living, eating and relaxing in the Olympic Village will be created by approximately 7,300 athletes [84] .
Sports competitions are held at 18 sites, six of which are temporary structures, and five were built from scratch. In April 2015, the Minister of Sports Azad Rahimov said that 1 billion manat was spent on the construction of sports facilities [85] .
According to the official website of the games, the following sports arenas are the venues for the competition [86] :
- Legend
Temporary object
Athletes Village
| Arena | Kind of sport | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Athletes Village | Athletes Accommodation | 7 300 |
| Olympic Stadium | Opening and Closing Ceremonies Athletics | 69 870 |
| Национальная гимнастическая арена | Gymnastics | 9 000 (временно — 12 000) |
Площадь флага
| Arena | Kind of sport | Capacity | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Дворец водных видов спорта | Swimming Synchronized swimming Diving | 6 000 [87] | |
| Арена водного поло | Water polo | 3,000 | |
| Пляжная арена | Beach volleyball Beach football | 3,000 | |
| Баскетбольная арена | Basketball 3x3 | ||
| Бакинский кристальный зал | Зал 1 | Volleyball | 25,000 |
| Зал 2 | Boxing | ||
| Зал 3 | Fencing Taekwondo Karate | ||
В пределах города Баку
| Arena | Kind of sport | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Дворец спорта | Badminton Table tennis | 1628 [9] |
| Стадион имени Тофика Бахрамова | Стрельба из лука | 31 200 |
| Спортивная арена имени Гейдара Алиева | Wrestling Judo Sambo | 8 000 |
| Площадь Свободы | Шоссейные гонки |
Другие объекты
| Arena | Kind of sport | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Бакинская стрелковая арена | Shooting | |
| Велопарк для маунтинбайка | Маунтинбайк | |
| Велопарк для БМХ | BMX | |
| Bilgia Beach | Triathlon | |
| Sports Center "Kyur" in Mingechevir | Kayaking and Canoeing |
Map of Baku objects
Broadcast
The games were covered by 45 of the 50 participating countries [88] . The International Sports Broadcaster (ISB) provides television companies in dozens of countries with more than 800 hours of live broadcasts [89] .
In September 2014, the organizers of the Euro Games entered into an agreement with the Digisport television company, which broadcasts games in Romania and Hungary, as well as with Sport 10, which covers competitions for Belgium. A contract was previously signed with the Turkish NTV Spor [90] . In October 2014, the exclusive rights to broadcast the 1st European Games in Germany were received by Sport1 channel [91] .
In February 2015, the Games Organizing Committee signed an agreement with RTVE Spain, ERR Estonia, LTV Latvia , RTV Slovenija Slovenia and Sport TV Portugal. Thus, the number of broadcasters reached 47 [92] . At the end of February, the Baku-2015 European Games Operational Committee signed a broadcast agreement with the US Sports Network Universal Sports Network [93] .
In April, the Baku-2015 European Games Operational Committee signed an agreement on broadcasting the Games with Seven Network, an Australian commercial television network. Earlier, similar agreements were signed on broadcasting the first Euro Games with television companies not only in Europe, but also in Canada, India, China and the countries of the Arab world [94] .
In May 2015, the Baku-2015 Operational Committee signed agreements with the NTU of Ukraine, the Public Channel of Georgia, TV2 of Norway, Sport 5 (Sport Channel) and Sport 1 (Çarlton) of Israel [89] . In late May, General Entertainment and Media acquired the exclusive rights to display the Games through the YAHSAT, NILESAT and HOTBİRD satellites in Iran. According to the contract, daily digital, mobile broadcasting in Persian and Kurdish is organized for an audience of 75 million viewers [95] .
On June 3, 2015, the organizing committee “Baku-2015” signed an agreement with the federal television channel “ Russia ” in connection with the broadcast of the European Games on free and cable channels in Russia for 10 hours daily. European games are broadcast on the channels “ Russia 2 ”, “ Sport 1 ”, “ Sport ” and “ Fight Club ” [96] .
Criticism
BBC correspondent Rayhan Demitri notes that the European Games, which only cost $ 1.2 billion according to official figures, are held against the backdrop of Azerbaijan’s economic difficulties, the devaluation of the national currency by a third and the fall in oil prices. Arastun Orujlu notes that economically unprofitable European games are held for public relations of the government and cause irritation of the population, barely making ends meet [17] . In response, MP Zahid Oruj stated that the constructed facilities could become the arenas of other events of international importance, as well as improve the infrastructure and services to the population and tourism [97] .
Musavat opposition party called on European leaders to boycott the opening of the European Games in Baku. The party’s statement said that on the eve of the first European Games, the human rights situation in Azerbaijan had deteriorated even more, political prisoners were not released [98] .
The statement of the Musavat party was condemned by a number of political parties in Azerbaijan: the Democratic Party of Azerbaijan, the Party of Citizens and Development, and the National Revival Movement [99] .
Commenting on the criticism and calls for a boycott of the games, the President of the Russian Olympic Committee, Alexander Zhukov, proposed not to pay attention to this and wait for the competition to begin, citing the Olympic Games in Sochi as an example [100] .
According to Radio Free Europe , in Azerbaijan there are unofficial requirements for medical workers to donate part of their salaries to the budget of the European games, and before the end of the games, subsidies for medicines were stopped and bonuses for public servants were stopped. A representative of the Azerbaijani Ministry of Health has denied information about unofficial requisitions and a decline in free drug services [101] . Unofficial requisitions are also confirmed in a report by Eurasianet.Org and Freedom House. Entrepreneurs who refused to contribute to the game budget were detained and charged with corruption [102] .
Allegations of Repression and Human Rights Violation
By the time of the European Olympic Games, as Amnesty International notes, civil society in Azerbaijan was completely destroyed [103] . Investigative reporter Khadija Ismailova , the editorial board of Radio Free Europe , was arrested, searched, and closed. Human rights activists Leila and Arif Yunus were arrested after calling for a boycott of the games. Human rights lawyer Intigam Aliyev, who leads more than 300 human rights cases in the European Court, was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison [104] .
On the eve of the games, UN Special Representative for the Status of Azerbaijani Human Rights Defenders Michel Forst called for the release of Intigam Aliyev, Anar Mammadli, Leyla and Arif Yunus, Rasul Jafarov and Khadija Ismailova [105] . On May 28, 2015, EP members from all political groups demanded the immediate release of political prisoners. On June 3, 2015, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media and the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders signed a joint statement urging athletes to take a stand on human rights issues in Azerbaijan [106] .
International human rights organizations have noted numerous and unprecedented repressions against human rights defenders and journalists during the preparation and conduct of the games [17] [103] [104] [107] [108] [109] . Dozens of critics of the Azerbaijani government were arrested, a number of journalists from leading European publications, as well as representatives of Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch were banned from entering the country. On the eve of the games, on June 4, 2015, the program of the OSCE coordinator in Baku was suspended. Bank accounts of dozens of independent activist groups were blocked. The European Olympic Committee stated that the entry ban for journalists “is completely contrary to the spirit of sport” [110] .
Deutsche Welle notes that amid human rights violations, the opening of the games is attended by heads of state with undemocratic traditions, while the leaders of the democratic countries of Western Europe: France, Germany or the UK, will not come to Baku. A number of sports federations, in particular the German Olympic Committee, made public statements criticizing the situation in Azerbaijan [111] .
Human rights organizations and a number of media outlets note that Ilham Aliyev uses the European Games to hide the facts of the suppression of human rights and the theft of the country's wealth [112] [113] . Transcaucasia expert Tom de Waal notes that the European Games received only light coverage in the European media, while the main materials were devoted to human rights violations in Azerbaijan [114] .
Lady Gaga’s performance at the opening of the games has sparked widespread media criticism. Speaking at concerts in Montreal on June 12 and 13, U2 frontman Bono spoke of “his six friends” - Azerbaijani journalists imprisoned in Azerbaijan [115] [116] .
Relation to the representatives of Armenia
Relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia remain tense after the Karabakh war of the early 1990s . In September 2014, the Minister of Youth and Sports of Azerbaijan, Azad Rahimov, stated that Azerbaijan, if Armenia participates in the first European Games in Baku, gives security guarantees for the Armenian delegation [117] . While in Baku, the press secretary of the Armenian team at the first European Games, Karen Giloyan, stated that the security of the delegation was ensured at a high level in the capital of Azerbaijan [118] . Mass media note the negative attitude of spectators towards athletes from Armenia during the games.
According to media reports, during the parade of participants during the exit of the Armenian delegation, spectators gathered at the stadium and Azerbaijani journalists booed her and showed outstretched arms, pointing with their thumbs down [119] [120] [121] . Some viewers chanted “Azerbaijan” [122] . Armenian wrestlers performed to the sounds of “buuu”. According to the Rheinische Post, athletes from Armenia in Baku are experiencing difficulties. After the Armenian wrestler Roman Amoyan lost to the Azerbaijani Elman Mukhtarov , having found himself in the struggle with a bloodied head [123] , the local newspaper published the article “Armenian blood was shed on Azerbaijani soil” [124] . Wrestler Karapet Chalyan, who took part in the European Games, said that there was no psychological pressure on him in Baku, and that the Armenian delegation was well received [125] .
Azerbaijani authorities respond to criticism
Azerbaijani authorities say that criticism of the human rights situation is part of a planned campaign to discredit the country's image [17] .
On June 11, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan Ali Hasanov stated that the issue of repression is a question that “some Western circles are exaggerating”, that there are no political prisoners in Azerbaijan, but there are people convicted of various acts, that there are court decisions with regard to them, and neither the executive branch alone has no right to doubt the decision of the courts [126] . Touching upon the information circulated by Amnesty International that her employee was not allowed into Azerbaijan, Hasanov said that no one as a representative of Amnesty International had contacted the Olympic Committee or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on his arrival in Azerbaijan [127] .
A member of the Organizing Committee for the European Games, Farhad Hajiyev, referring to the issue that the leaders of several Western European countries will not come to Baku, said that if a country decided to boycott the European Games, it would not send a sports delegation to Baku. According to him, all those who talk about the boycott of the games are deeply mistaken [25] .
Incidents
On June 2, Russian President Vladimir Putin at a meeting of the Council for the Development of Physical Culture and Sports criticized Russian channels for lack of zeal in covering the games in Baku. The next day, VGTRK acquired the rights to television broadcast of the first European Games [128] .
On June 11, at 8:30 a.m., in the Olympic village, a bus drove a female athlete from Austria performing synchronized swimming while the girls were walking along the sidewalk. As a result, 15-year-old synchronist Vanessa Sakhinovich received multiple serious fractures and a head injury, another girl, 15-year-old Luna Payer, received hand injuries. Both girls were sent back to Austria for treatment in a private medical plane [129] . The third victim, 15-year-old Verena Bright, suffered a thigh injury and spent an hour at a local hospital, after which she returned to the Olympic village [130] . The Minister of Youth and Sports of Azerbaijan, Azad Rahimov, said that the Azerbaijani side will cover the costs of the treatment of Vanessa Sakhinovich. The Azerbaijani Embassy in Austria also provided the necessary assistance [131] . The condition of Vanessa Sakhinovich, who received several bone fractures, was assessed as moderate and her treatment continued [132] . In turn, the President of the Austrian Olympic Committee, Karl Stoss, thanked Azerbaijan for its assistance in transporting the affected synchronized synchronists [129] .
On June 17, during the quarterfinal fight, wrestlers from Belarus and Georgia fought. By decision of the judges, the athletes were disqualified [133] [134] .
On June 26, at the award ceremony, the Ukrainian boxer did not turn in the direction of the flags during the performance of the Russian anthem [135] [136] [137] .
Notes
- Comments
- ↑ Accompanied by the winner of the Youth Olympic Games 2014, Said Guliyev .
- Sources
- ↑ 1 2 List of athletes on the official website of the European Games 2015
- ↑ 1 2 Opening ceremony of “Baku-2015”
- ↑ Baku to host European Olympic Games in 2015
- ↑ 'European Olympics' to be held in 2015
- ↑ 1 2 Azad Ragimov: It’s a little sad that the holiday of the Euro Games has ended
- ↑ 1 2 3 European Games: what you need to know about Baku 2015 // The Guardian // 11 June 2015
- ↑ Why do we need European games
- ↑ The Organizing Committee for the European Games-2015 in Baku was created (Russian)
- ↑ 1 2 3 The first meeting of the Organizing Committee of the first European Games to be held in Baku in 2015 was chaired by Ilham Aliyev
- ↑ 1 2 The official website of the first European Games in Baku has opened
- ↑ Video about the start of the counter Archived July 18, 2013 on the Wayback Machine . Official website of the European Games 2015
- ↑ In Baku, a countdown to the start of the First European Games was marked with a grandiose salute.
- ↑ Azerbaijani Ministry of Sports: economic crisis could not affect the budget of the Games in Baku
- ↑ The total budget of the European Games in Baku amounted to $ 1.12 billion
- ↑ How much did the European Games cost Azerbaijan?
- ↑ Azerbaigian: ricordare al dittatore i diritti umani - Pagina 2 di 2 - L'Indro
- ↑ 1 2 3 4 Azerbaijan's price for hosting first European Games
- ↑ The opening of the first European Games cost Azerbaijan 100 million euros. MONEY. SPORT-EXPRESS
- ↑ Bei den Europaspielen regiert der Völkerhass
- ↑ Azerbaijan will also cover the expenses of the Armenian delegation at the European Games
- ↑ President of the NOC of Armenia decided not to go to Baku // 1news.az, 06/08/2015
- ↑ President and First Lady of Azerbaijan purchase first Baku 2015 tickets . baku2015.com .
- ↑ Ticket sales in City Ticket Outlets . baku2015.com .
- ↑ 600,000 tickets for the first European Games Baku-2015 were put up for sale
- ↑ 1 2 Farhad Hajiyev: “Olympic champions from Germany go to Baku”
- ↑ An official reception was organized in honor of the participants in the official opening ceremony of the first European Games
- ↑ 1 2 Volunteers of the European Games of 2015 in Baku will be called “Keepers of the Fire”
- ↑ Baku 2015 European Games hosts performer auditions for Opening and Closing Ceremonies
- ↑ From June 1, a ban on the entry of cars from regions to Baku enters into force
- ↑ Baku public transport switches to a 20-hour work schedule
- ↑ Baku public transport during the Euro Games will operate 20 hours a day (inaccessible link) . Date of treatment June 21, 2015. Archived June 21, 2015.
- ↑ Until the end of the week, traffic in the center of Baku is limited
- ↑ How will transport work during the European Games in Baku? (inaccessible link) . Date of treatment June 21, 2015. Archived June 21, 2015.
- ↑ White Taxi Baku (unavailable link) . Date of treatment June 21, 2015. Archived June 21, 2015.
- ↑ During the European Games in Baku, transport for accredited persons will be free
- ↑ Euro-game viewers will be able to take advantage of free use of the Baku metro
- ↑ Official games site
- ↑ Another pleasant surprise from AZAL to guests of the first European Games (inaccessible link) . Date of treatment June 14, 2015. Archived June 23, 2015.
- ↑ Coca-Cola supports Baku-2015 European Games
- ↑ Tissot official website
- ↑ McDonald's became an official partner of the European Games in Baku (Inaccessible link) . Date of treatment June 14, 2015. Archived June 30, 2015.
- ↑ Azerkosmos will provide satellite broadcasting of the First European Games
- ↑ Baku-2015 European Games Operational Committee signed a partnership agreement with UNICEF
- ↑ A competition has been announced for the development of the logo of the European Games 2015 in Baku (Russian) (inaccessible link) . Date of treatment January 26, 2013. Archived on April 21, 2014.
- ↑ “I Avropa Oyunları (Bakı 2015)” mövzusunda açıq loqotip müsabiqəsi (azerb.) (Unavailable link) . Date of treatment January 26, 2013. Archived on April 21, 2014.
- ↑ Presentation of the logo of the European Games 2015 in Baku
- ↑ In 2015, presented the logo of the European Games in 2015 Archival copy of November 25, 2013 on the Wayback Machine
- ↑ 1 2 В Баку презентован логотип первых Европейских игр 2015 года
- ↑ Baku 2015 secures exposure through Atletico Madrid partnership
- ↑ «Атлетико» навел страха на Россию (недоступная ссылка) . Дата обращения 27 февраля 2014. Архивировано 28 февраля 2014 года.
- ↑ Ланс добивается победы с новым логотипом Евроигр-2015
- ↑ Джейран и Нар стали официальными талисманами Европейских Игр-2015 в Баку
- ↑ Baku 2015 European Games unveils official mascots Jeyran and Nar Архивная копия от 29 ноября 2014 на Wayback Machine (англ.)
- ↑ Талисманами I Европейских игр Баку-2015 стали газель Джейран и гранат Нар
- ↑ 1 2 Презентованы медали Евроигр Баку-2015 // Каспий : газета. — 4 марта 2015.
- ↑ Огонь Европейских игр Баку-2015 будет зажжен в музейно-историческом комплексе «Атешгях»
- ↑ В Баку завершилась масштабная церемония открытия Евроигр
- ↑ 1 2 3 Ильхам Алиев объявил Европейские игры «Баку-2015» открытыми
- ↑ Европейские игры в Баку вызывают недовольство в Европе
- ↑ Каратэ и танцы войдут в программу бакинской Евроолимпиады-2015 (рус.)
- ↑ Gymnastics will be part of the sports participating at the first European Games which will be held in Baku/AZE in 2015 // www.ueg.org. 22 января 2013
- ↑ Wrestling added to European Games
- ↑ Чемпионат Европы по борьбе в 2015 году проводиться не будет — из-за включения вида спорта в программу первых Европейских игр в Баку
- ↑ AIBA подтверждает включение бокса в программу Европейских игр 2015 в Баку
- ↑ Еще две гимнастические дисциплины станут частью первых Европейских игр в Баку
- ↑ Четыре вида официально включены в программу Евроигр
- ↑ Athletics Officially Part of Baku 2015
- ↑ Количество участников Евроигр-2015 в Баку достигло 6000
- ↑ Baku 2015 European Games increases number of sports
- ↑ Combat Sports Boost For Baku 2015 European Games (недоступная ссылка) . Дата обращения 21 сентября 2014. Архивировано 10 сентября 2014 года.
- ↑ Виды спорта на официальном сайте игр Архивировано 28 августа 2014 года.
- ↑ Baku 2015 European Games to offer qualification opportunities in Boxing and Wrestling for Rio 2016 Olympic Games
- ↑ Паралимпийцы на Евроиграх выступят в двух категориях.
- ↑ Visually impaired judo added to Baku 2015 programme
- ↑ Швейцарская спортсменка стала первой в истории обладательницей золотой медали Европейских игр
- ↑ Волонтер Евроигр спас жизнь польского гимнаста, прыгнувшего мимо батута (недоступная ссылка) . Дата обращения 28 июня 2015. Архивировано 1 июля 2015 года.
- ↑ Волонтер спас прыгнувшего мимо батута гимнаста на Евроиграх в Баку
- ↑ Schedule
- ↑ Список стран на официальном сайте Европейских игр 2015
- ↑ Ильхам Алиев принял участие в церемонии закрытия первых Европейских игр «Баку-2015»
- ↑ Стартовала церемония закрытия первых Европейских игр 2015 (недоступная ссылка) . Дата обращения 29 июня 2015. Архивировано 1 июля 2015 года.
- ↑ Евроигры могут быть открыты на Олимпийском стадионе (ФОТО) (рус.)
- ↑ Азад РАГИМОВ: Церемония открытия Европейских игр пройдет на новом Олимпийском стадионе Баку (рус.)
- ↑ Под председательством Мехрибан Алиевой состоялось второе заседание Организационного комитета первых Европейских игр
- ↑ Спортивная премьера в Азербайджане: кто и зачем проводит Европейские игры
- ↑ Спортивные арены на официальном сайте игр
- ↑ Ильхам Алиев заложил фундамент Дворца водных видов спорта в Баку Архивная копия от 4 февраля 2014 на Wayback Machine
- ↑ Уровень телетрансляции Евроигр превзошел все ожидания — Служба олимпийского вещания
- ↑ 1 2 Организаторы Евроигр-2015 заключили соглашение ещё с двумя телекомпаниями
- ↑ Баку-2015: Ещё пять зарубежных телеканалов будут освещать Первые Европейские Игры
- ↑ Главный спортивный телеканал Германии подписал соглашение на трансляцию Евроигр-2015 в трех странах
- ↑ Bakı 2015 Avropa Oyunlarını yayımlayacaq ölkələrin sayı 47-yə çatdı
- ↑ Операционный комитет Евроигр подписал соглашение с ведущей медиа-сетью США
- ↑ Seven Network будет транслировать Евроигры Баку-2015 в Австралии
- ↑ Евроигры будут транслироваться и в Иране (недоступная ссылка) . Дата обращения 19 июня 2015. Архивировано 19 июня 2015 года.
- ↑ «Россия» будет вещать Евроигры
- ↑ Что нам даст Олимпиада (недоступная ссылка) . Дата обращения 6 июня 2015. Архивировано 6 июня 2015 года.
- ↑ Партия «Мусават» призвала бойкотировать открытие Европейских игр в Баку
- ↑ Политические партии Азербайджана назвали призыв «Мусават» глупым
- ↑ Владимир Путин принял участие в открытии Европейских игр в Баку
- ↑ Azerbaijanis Paying Price For Aliyev's 2015 European Games // RFE/RL, June 12, 2015
- ↑ Baku 2015: Azerbaijan government 'docking staff pay to fund bloating European Games costs' // IBT, June 11, 2015
- ↑ 1 2 Amnesty International AZERBAIJAN: THE REPRESSION GAMES «Civil society is eradicated in Azerbaijan. All NGOs who worked on human rights, about 20 of them, are closed»
- ↑ 1 2 Baku European Games crackdown only casts light on human rights issues // The Guardian, 11 June 2015
- ↑ МИД Азербайджана: спецпредставитель ООН выступил в рамках анти-азербайджанской кампании // aze.az, 03 июнь 2015
- ↑ AZERBAIJAN : Gold medal on repression in the run-up to the Baku Games // The International Federation for Human Rights, 11 juin 2015
- ↑ Azerbaijan: Baku Games to Begin Amid Widespread Repression // HRW, JUNE 11, 2015
- ↑ In the run-up to the Games, the Azerbaijani authorities have been carrying out a truly unprecedented human rights crackdown, working aggressively to silence all forms of criticism and dissent // RFE/RL, 19.06.2015
- ↑ Azerbaijan: European governments must take action to release the political prisoners // FIDH, 4 June 2015: «FIDH denounces the unprecedented crackdown on Azerbaijani civil society perpetrated by the authorities»
- ↑ Azerbaijan bans Guardian from reporting on Baku European Games // The Guardian, 11 June 2015
- ↑ European Games' host Azerbaijan is rich in resources, poor on human rights // Deutsche Welle, 11.06.2015
- ↑ Azerbaijan 'stifles free speech' as European Games begin // Telegraph, 11 Jun 2015
- ↑ The European Games of shame // Haaretz, 11.06.15
- ↑ THOMAS DE WAAL Sochi Revisited in Baku? Архивная копия от 20 июня 2015 на Wayback Machine // Carnegie Moscow Center, JUNE 18, 2015
- ↑ U2 Demands Freedom For Azerbaijani Political Prisoners // RFE/RL, 16.06.2015
- ↑ Baku 2015: The Censored Games // TeleSUR, 14 June 2015
- ↑ В случае участия Армении в играх Баку −2015 Азербайджан гарантирует безопасность — министр — See more at: http://www.salamnews.org/ru/news/read/144199/pv-sluchae-uchastiya-armenii-v-igrax-baku--2015-az#sthash.1Xe7Cokp.dpuf
- ↑ Карен Гилоян: В Баку безопасность обеспечена на высоком уровне
- ↑ Открытие первых Евроигр в Баку омрачилось инцидентом . Deutsche Welle, 13.06.2015
- ↑ Сборную Армении освистали на церемонии открытия Европейских игр в Азербайджане . Эхо Москвы, 13 июня 2015
- ↑ Нервные Европейские // Коммерсант, 14.06.2015
- ↑ Делегацию Армении на Олимпийском стадионе в Баку встретили скандированием «Азербайджан»
- ↑ Фотографии 1-го дня соревнований по борьбе на Европейских играх 2015 // Getty Images.
- ↑ Bei Aserbaidschans großer Party sind Armenier unerwünscht // Rheinische Post, 16. Juni 2015 ( перевод )
- ↑ Карапет Чалян: В Баку не было психологического давления
- ↑ Али Гасанов: В Азербайджане нет политзаключенных
- ↑ Али Гасанов: «Никто от имени Amnesty International не обращался по поводу визита в Азербайджан» (недоступная ссылка) . Дата обращения 14 июня 2015. Архивировано 3 июля 2015 года.
- ↑ После критики Путина ВГТРК решила показать Европейские игры в Баку
- ↑ 1 2 НОК Австрии поблагодарил Азербайджан за помощь пострадавшим спортсменкам
- ↑ Баку: пострадавших спортсменок вернули домой в самолёте Алиева . Русская служба BBC, 12 июня 2015
- ↑ Азербайджан взял на себя расходы по лечению австрийской спортсменки (недоступная ссылка) . Дата обращения 13 июня 2015. Архивировано 14 июня 2015 года.
- ↑ Продолжается лечение австрийской спортсменки, которую в Баку сбил автобус
- ↑ Спортсмены из Белоруссии и Грузии подрались прямо на ринге Первых Европейских игр
- ↑ Грузинский и белорусский борцы подрались во время схватки на Европейских играх
- ↑ Украинский боксер устроил демарш во время исполнения гимна РФ на Европейских играх
- ↑ Украинский боксер проигнорировал российский флаг во время награждения
- ↑ Спортивные болельщики обсуждают демарш украинского боксера на играх в Баку