Capralos: Baku 2015 Still on Track Despite Scherr Exit

(ATR) European Games chief inspector Spyros Capralos tells Around the Rings the departure of Baku 2015 chief operating officer Jim Scherr will not hurt the project.

On Monday, Games organizers announced that Scherr had quit the project to return to the U.S. after one year in the job. He said he wanted to spend more time with his young family and resume his position as chief executive of 776 Marketing.

Simon Clegg, European Games executive director for the European Olympic Committees, was appointed as Scherr’s replacement. He will begin this week in Baku.

Asked if he was worried that Scherr’s departure with little over one year to the Games would impact preparations, Capralos told ATR: "Not at all. We are very confident the European Games will be a huge success.

"The progress achieved up to now has been great. Of course there is no time to be wasted with only one year left. But I am sure the whole team put together will provide excellent Games."

Capralos hailed Scherr’s contribution, saying he did a good job assembling planning and organisational structures and the team to deliver the Games.

"But one year before the Games, we are now in operational mode."

Capralos said Clegg, a former chief executive of the British Olympic Association, was a good appointment.

"He is the man to take the job forward together with the minister [sports minister Azad Rahimov]," he said.

"We have known him for many years. He’s very knowledgable on all the challenges we are facing in Baku and we think he is going to be a great addition tothe team there."

Scherr joins fellow American Darryl Seibel, former Games communications chief, in leaving Baku.

Explaining his decision to resign the COO post, Scherr said: "I’m in no doubt that I leave the organisation in a fantastic position to deliver a successful European Games in Baku next summer.

"After another positive update at the recent coordination commission, I feel it is the righttime to return to the United States to spend more time with my young family and resume my position as chief executive of 776 Marketing, the consulting, events and marketing company I founded."

Patrick Hickey, president of the European Olympic Committees, said the EOC was grateful for Scherr’s leadership: "His endeavour has put the Games in a position to meet the EOC’s vision to create an innovative and athlete focused Games built on a sustainable model. We wish him the best of luck for the future."

Azerbaijain sports minister Azad Rahimov, CEO of the Baku 2015 organizing committee, said Scherr had played an integral role in helping to shape the First European Games.

Written by Mark Bisson.

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