WHY NOT?!

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has published the names of the cities bidding to stage the summer Olympic Games in 2020. Baku is bidding along with Doha, Istanbul, Madrid, Rome and Tokyo for the right to host the Olympics.

The very fact that Azerbaijan is bidding to stage this most prestigious sporting event speaks volumes. This is the second time that Baku has put in a bid to stage the Olympics. Only recently our capital city applied for selection. But then we failed to reach the final stages and the right to stage the summer Olympics went to Rio de Janeiro.

Baku's nomination as a candidate again is of great significance. In the first place, before the end of the preliminary stage the candidate cities are usually at the centre of the world's media. People become interested and they find out about these cities and, as a rule, there is a rush of tourists wanting to go there. On the other hand, unlike last time, the world's media is not only describing Baku as a serious rival, but is also expressing confidence that Azerbaijan will be capable of surprising everyone in the preliminary round. The IOC has already published the names of the applicant cities, and because the deadline for submitting applications has already expired, there can be no more applicants. In the next few months the committee will gather information about the chances of the applicant countries and cities of taking on and holding the Olympic Games. The cities which will continue the fight to stage the 2020 Olympics will be selected later. The number of cities which will move on to the next round has not yet been decided. There could be three or four, or there may only be two. At this stage an IOC special commission is on its way to the applicant cities to acquaint itself with the situation in situ. And the name of the country which will be entrusted with staging the 2020 Olympics will be announced on 7 September 2013 in Buenos Aires.

Of the applicant cities Rome (1960) and Tokyo (1964) have already hosted the Games. Italy and Japan have twice hosted the winter Olympics. In 1956 the winter Olympics were held in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy; in 2006 in Turin; in 1972 in Sapporo, Japan, and in 1998 in Nagano.

Spain has also hosted the Olympics - in Barcelona in 1992. Among the applicant countries never to have hosted the Games are Turkey, Qatar and Azerbaijan. So, what are Azerbaijan's chances and will Baku be able to stage the Olympics at a high level?

Material support

Of course, staging such a major event requires the appropriate budget.  A country organizing any competition attracts reputable companies as sponsors. In this context it will not be particularly difficult for Baku to provide the IOC with financial guarantees. It is well known that the world economic crisis of recent years has not been a problem for Azerbaijan. On the contrary, foreign companies are continuing to invest in the country. In addition, the country's budget is increasing every year. On the strength of this Baku will have no financial problems in holding the 2020 Olympics. Besides, world brand-names and leading firms, which could form a support group, are operating in Baku.

State support

Sport in Azerbaijan enjoys great support from the state. Suffice it to point out that the country's president, Ilham Aliyev, heads the Azerbaijani National Olympic Committee. His close attention to the development of sport in the country plays a leading role in the constant increase in the number of victories of our athletes on the world arena. The concern for sport and sportsmen in Azerbaijan by the heads of international sports federations is an example to other countries.

Organizational opportunities

It is well known that in recent years Azerbaijan has been recognized as a sporting country on a world scale. Staging prestigious international competitions in the capital has become traditional. Baku has already hosted world championships in gymnastics and wrestling and European championships in various events. Licensed tournaments and Grand Prix events have been organized at the highest level. All the visitors to these competitions have, without exception, gone away satisfied with the welcome they have received and the conditions provided and have particularly emphasized the very high standard of organization. That is why staging the summer Olympics in 2020 should not create any problems for Baku. Moreover, Azerbaijan, with its experience of hosting prestigious competitions, will once again clearly demonstrate its organizational capabilities during the Eurovision Song Contest next year. The organizational level of this competition will most certainly be taken note of by the IOC.

Sporting constructions

Some 31 Olympic complexes have been built to world standards in Azerbaijan in recent years. The construction of nine complexes is being completed and the construction of another three is planned. The foundations of an Olympic stadium housing 65,000 spectators, and where the opening and closing ceremonies could be held, were laid this year. And that is by no means all. The city which will host the 2020 Olympics will be selected in 2013. This means that seven full years remain to prepare for the Games. If the IOC supports Baku's bid, new sporting constructions that will meet the highest world standards will be built in Azerbaijan.

Security

Azerbaijan has never had any problems with security at international events. The political stability in the country provides a guarantee of the safety of visitors who come to take part in international events. Naturally, a city which is staging the Olympic Games, will provide additional forces and security measures will be tightened. Therefore, Baku will have no difficulty in coping with this task.

Accommodating visitors

A number of five-star hotels will be commissioned in Baku before the end of the year, and construction of several more will commence next year. There can be no doubt that there will be no problems with accommodating visitors to the Games. Besides, if Baku is honoured with staging the 2020 Olympics, the construction of an Olympic Village will commence. 

It is to be hoped that all the factors we have listed will be taken into account by the IOC. This is what Azad Rahimov, minister of youth and sport, thinks about this: "This is a great achievement for us. Baku's nomination as a candidate to host the 2020 Olympics is a positive event. Baku has already been a candidate in the recent past. This is its second attempt and we have greater chances this time. Baku's chances may be assessed in different ways. For example, they are higher than Doha's. Everyone knows that Qatar has problems with its climate. In summer the temperature can be over 50 degrees. That is why Qatar wants to host the Games in October-November, which the IOC does not agree to. I believe that if Baku is selected to host the Olympic Games it will be able to organize everything at the highest level. If we are successful, Baku will be ready to host the Olympic Games in 2020."

It is a popular saying about the Games that "the main thing is not winning but taking part". Of course, the very fact that Baku has been nominated as a candidate to stage the Olympic Games for a second time should be seen as a remarkable event. But Azerbaijan submitted its application not to take part but to win. It was only quite recently that many people could not have imagined that Azerbaijan - a young independent state with a predominantly Muslim population - could triumph in the Eurovision Song Contest and win the right to stage this competition. So why not win the battle to stage the Olympics?!