WITH SIGHTS ON THE EUROPEAN GAMES

The president of the European Gymnastics Union has paid one of his regular visits to Baku. He visited the national gymnastics arena and watched the preparations for the European Games. Before leaving Baku Georges Guelzec answered R+ questions on the results of his visit.

- We'd like to hear about the results of your visit. What meetings did you have in Baku?

- Visiting Azerbaijan is always a pleasure for me. I came to Baku in 2007 and 2009 and I went away very satisfied then. I again visited your city a few months ago. The purpose of the current visit is to have a look at preparations for the European Championship which is to be held in Baku. We visited the national gymnastics arena which is being built and had meetings at the Azerbaijani National Olympic Committee.

- What were your impressions?

- I have no doubt that the European rhythmic gymnastics competition will be organized at the highest level. We are in regular contact with the Azerbaijani NOC and are discussing the major issues. Building work is going according to plan and the construction of the arena is in its final phase. The 2015 European Games will be of the highest standard and the competition in Baku will be an historical and notable event for the sporting world.

- What stage have preparations for the European Rhythmic Gymnastics Championship reached?

- In 2007 and 2009 Baku staged continental championships at a high level. There is nothing to worry about in this respect. Gymnastics is developing at a rapid rate in Azerbaijan. I can't help but be pleased at the people's interest in the sport. Your country has experience of hosting international competitions, so there will be no problems about holding the European championship. Spectators will be able to watch interesting contests featuring the top sportswomen of the continent.

- Are you happy with the present state of gymnastics in Azerbaijan?

- The results achieved by Azerbaijan's women gymnasts in international competitions show the progress they have made. I am also aware of the great attention shown to Olympic gymnastics. I hope that your rhythmic gymnasts will have more experience by 2015. Then they will do well at the European games.

- How do you rate our gymnasts' chances at the European Championship?

- 2013 was a successful year for Azerbaijan's women gymnasts. They scored well in some of the competitions. Last year your junior team won a silver medal at the European Championship. They can improve on that in Baku. I believe that 2014 could be an even more successful year for Azerbaijan's women gymnasts. Predictions in sport are a thankless cause, but the conditions you have created and the intensive training your girls have done strengthen their hopes. The run-up to the European Games will be a test both in terms of results and organization.

- This championship will be the third continental tournament held in Baku. I imagine the preparations for this tournament will be different from previous ones…?

- Every time I visit Baku I am surprised in the best sense of the word. Your capital gets lovelier every day. Each time I come I see new buildings going up. The infrastructure is getting better, too. And so I believe that the current European Championship will be different from previous ones. Baku is always glad to receive visitors and I am confident that the competition will be held at the highest level of standards.

- It is just over a year before the start of the European Games. So organizational work needs to be stepped up…

- When Baku was chosen to host the First European Games everyone said there was very little time left for preparations. Azerbaijan immediately set to work and a plan of work was drawn up very quickly. Your capital is now ready and able to host an historic competition. A number of new sports facilities will be used for the first time at the European Games. Many athletes and tourists will be coming to the capital and everyone's attention will be focused on Azerbaijan. Organizational work is in full swing and will be completed before the competition begins.

NOTE 

The European Rhythmic Gymnastics Championship will be held from 13 to 15 June 2014 in Baku. The competitions of the European Games will be staged in the National Gymnastics Arena. Over 30 countries are expected to compete. The participants in the championship will be accommodated in the Olympic Village designed for the European Games in 2015. There will be nine sets of awards to play for in Baku.