AS GOOD AS IT GETS

Ukraine won 35 medals at the first European Games, including six gold, 11 silver and 18 bronze. It received one of its gold medals in the fencing. The vice president of the Ukrainian National Fencing Federation and an Olympic champion, Vadym Hutsayt, spoke to R+ about his impressions of the first European Games in Baku.

- What was the competition like for the Ukrainian team?

- We came to Baku with a strong squad of sportsmen and our team and our compatriots in Ukraine were pleased with the gold medals we won in different sports. Andriy Yagodka's gold medal in the fencing was very pleasing. The success achieved in such competitions is the result of strenuous training and hard work. We were well prepared for such a crucial and prestigious competition as the first European Games.

- What would you like to say about the preparations for the European Games?

- These events were brilliantly organized. I don't think anyone in the world could have organized the continental Games better than Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. It will be very difficult for any organizing country to improve on the commitment shown by Azerbaijan for the European Games. The Baku-2015 European Games, with its abundance of sports, tough competition in all the events, the make-up of the teams and the variety of sporting arenas, were real Olympic Games. Literally everything was beautifully organized. All praise and honour to your country.

- How did the Ukrainian delegation spend its time after the Games?

- We had a great time. All the right conditions for the athletes' comfort were provided in the Village. We all ate Azerbaijani national dishes in the cafes and were delighted with them. We also took the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of Baku, see its sights, relax and meet new friends. Another important aspect of the European Games is the opportunity to make new friends and develop new contacts with sports people from all over the world.

- In almost all the clashes the Ukrainians had to compete against their strong Russian counterparts. Did political tension have any impact on sport?

- The honest sporting struggle at the first European Games once again showed that sport is above politics. Such events help to promote mutual understanding between peoples. Non-sporting matters had no impact on relations between the sportsmen of different countries. They were purely sporting competitions.