FINAL TWENTY

The program of the first European Olympic Games to be held in Baku in 2015 now includes sambo, which is very popular in the CIS. 

The European Olympic Committee and the International Federation of Sambo ruled on the inclusion of sambo, the Operational Committee of the European Olympic Games told R +. 

It is no secret that sambo, which is a volatile mixture of several combat and wrestling sports, is very popular in Azerbaijan and CIS countries. According to the chief executive officer of the Operating Committee, Simon Clegg, the inclusion of sambo in the list of sports represented at the first European Olympics contributes to the development of this sport. "We have officially included in the sports program sambo and thus increased the number of new innovative sports in this competition. The inclusion in the program of the European Olympics of the highly popular in Azerbaijan sport will increase the importance of this event. It will be a good tradition to include popular local sports in the program of future European Olympics," Clegg said.

Azerbaijani Minister for Youth and Sports Azad Rahimov said that sambo will be the last sport to be included in the programme of Baku 2015. "Sambo will be the 20th sport. I can officially say that no more new sports will be included in the program," the minister said.

Furthermore, certain changes have been made in the rules of the wrestling competition. The freestyle, Greco-Roman and women's wrestling will be presented in six weight classes. Therefore, 80 more quotas are allocated for wrestlers. The International Wrestling Federation (FILA) approved the decision. Thus, in the European games more than 480 wrestlers will compete for 25 sets of medals.

In addition, the International Boxing Federation (AIBA) has decided to assign rating points to boxers who compete in the European Olympics. The winners of the first European Olympics can receive up to 700 rating points, which will help boxers to win a license for the Summer Olympics 2016.  

It should be noted that another sport was included in the non-competitive program of the European Olympics: street athletics. 

The preparatory work on the sports facilities and arenas, places for guests, solution of transport and communication issues is in full swing in Baku. According to Rahimov, all work must be completed before 1 February 2015. The investment programme for the European Games includes three components: sports facilities, communication costs and funds for the activities of the Operations Committee. In particular, the minister announced the construction and maintenance costs for a number of sports arenas: 100m manats were allocated for the construction of a water sports complex, 20-25m for the reconstruction of the Heydar Aliyev Sport and Concert Complex, 20m for the reconstruction of the Palace of Indoor Games, 500m for the construction of the National Olympic Stadium and 70-80m for the activities of the Operations Committee. The full volume of expenditures will be announced after the completion of all work.

Azerbaijan has already sent out invitations to all European countries, including Armenia, on participation in the first European Olympic Games. The Armenian government will now decide on the participation of its delegation at these Games. According to Minister Azad Rahimov, the participation of Armenian athletes is not a problem: "Our athletes have participated in competitions in Armenia, just recently there was a team in archery. Armenian athletes also participated in the championships in boxing and wrestling held in Baku. We guarantee the safety of all the athletes who will arrive in Baku for the European Olympic Games. "

The first agreement to broadcast the European Olympic Games has already been signed. The Turkish channel NTV Spor received the right to broadcast in Turkey all events of the European Games. 

NTV Spor will daily provide broadcasts on television, internet and mobile platforms for seven hours a day. This will include the live coverage of the opening and closing ceremonies of the Games, live coverage of the competition and reviews.

In addition to NTV Spor, the International sports broadcasting company will broadcast over 800 hours of the competitions.

SPORT EVENTS INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAMME OF THE EUROPEAN OLYMPICS 2015  

Archery - 128 athletes

Aquatics (swimming, diving, water polo) - 1000 athletes

Athletics - 800 athletes

Badminton - 160 athletes

Basketball (3 x 3) - 160 athletes

Boxing - 300 athletes

Canoeing - 350 athletes

Cycling (BMX, mountain biking, road race) - 350 athletes

Beach football - 256 athletes

Gymnastics (artistic and rhythmic gymnastics, acrobatics) - 

406 athletes

Judo - 350 athletes

Karate - 96 athletes

Shooting (Skeet and bullet) - 350 athletes

Table Tennis - 128 athletes

Taekwondo - 128 athletes

Triathlon - 125 athletes

Volleyball (in the hall and the beach) - 464 athletes

Fighting - 480 athletes

Fencing - 350 athletes

Sambo (the number of participants yet to be determined)