When the accreditation process closed earlier this month, more than 1,300 journalists (excluding broadcasters) had applied to cover the event, and those applications will be processed in the coming weeks. This is an unprecedented number of applications for an event taking place in Azerbaijan, the organizing committee said. 

Mr Simon Clegg, Chief Operating Officer of Baku 2015, said today: "The response has been quite amazing and it reinforces the fact that the first ever European Games is one of the most exciting and important additions to the global sporting calendar in more than 50 years.

"The accreditation system will be conducted under the spirit set down by the International Olympic Committee in the Olympic Charter, which has been adopted by the European Olympic Committees.

"I can also confirm that all accreditations will act as visas into Azerbaijan and will provide access up to 30 days before the Opening Ceremony and up to 60 days after the Closing Ceremony. Accredited media, the European Games family, and all those visiting the Games will be most welcome in Azerbaijan to attend this fantastic event which will showcase this young and dynamic country.”

Baku 2015 is the first ever European Games, an exciting and innovative multi-sport event for the continent which will take place from 12 – 28 June 2015.

There will be a total of 20 sports at Baku 2015: 16 Olympic sports and four non-Olympic sports. More than 6,000 athletes from across Europe will be representing their nations over 17 days of competition.

Twelve of the sports will offer qualification opportunities for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Those sports include Archery, Athletics, Boxing, Cycling, Judo, Shooting, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Triathlon, Volleyball and Wrestling.

Baku was awarded the Games by the European Olympic Committees (EOC) in December 2012. The Baku European Games Operations Committee (BEGOC) will organise and run the Games in cooperation with the EOC.