Azerbaijan unveils 2015 European Games logo

Azerbaijan unveiled the official logo for the first European Games due to be held in Azerbaijan's capital Baku in 2015 on Saturday.

"We are honoured to host the first-ever European Games and to welcome athletes and visitors from throughout Europe for this historic event in 2015," said Minister Rahimov at the ceremony.

  "Our logo reflects our commitment to hospitality and position as an emerging center for sport, business and tourism in Europe and beyond," said Azad Rahimov, Azerbaijan's Minister of Youth and Sport.

The logo was launched at the 42nd European Olympic Committees General Assembly in Rome and represents another important milestone in preparing for the Games, according to EOC President Patrick Hickey.

"Europe, for the first time, will have its own continental multi-sport event. For many European athletes, this event will be an important step on the journey to one day wearing their nation's colours as a competitor in the Olympic Games," Hickey said.

 The logo brings together five core elements that have shaped the host country's ancient and contemporary culture and aspirations, including Flame, Water, the mythical Simurg bird, Carpet and Pomegranate.

 "Baku 2015" will be the first ever European Games and will involve more than 5,400 competitors, from the 49 Olympic nationsof Europe, across 18 sports . The Games are owned, organized, and regulated by the European Olympic Committees (EOC).

The overwhelming majority of the National Olympic Committees ( NOCs) of Europe voted for the creation of the European Games at the EOC General Assembly on 9th December 2012 in Rome. The NOCs awarded the inaugural Games to the city of Baku, Azerbaijan.

ANN.Az