First European Games Underway in Baku -- Monday Memo

(ATR)The first-ever European Games officially opened in Baku, Azerbaijan on June 12.

A day before the opening ceremony, synchronized swimmer Vanessa Sahinovic, 15, suffered multiple fractures and a head injury when a bus mounted a pavement and crashed into the 15-year-old and two fellow athletes.

Austrian Olympic Committee spokesman Wolfgang Eichler told reporters in the media village that Sahinovic returned to Vienna and was successfully operated on.

On the day of the opening ceremony, European Olympic Committees president Pat Hickey toldATREuropean editor Mark Bisson that he wouldmention the Austrian athletes in his welcoming speech.

The 68,000-seat national stadium staged a show, celebrating the rich culture and history of Azerbaijan.

Over the course of 16 days, organizers say some 7,000 athletes from 50 NOCs will compete in 20 sports.

FIFA Women's World Cup

Competition in the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup carries on in Canada.

Matches on Monday include: Thailand v. Germany, Cote D'Ivoire v. Norway, Netherlands v. Canada, and China v. New Zealand.

Nigeria and the United States face off on June 16.

The top three teams from the Union of European Football Associations will qualify to compete at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

Twenty-four teams from six confederations are competing in 52 matches at the FIFA Women's World Cup this year.

Edmonton, Moncton, Montreal, Ottawa, Vancouver and Winnipeg will host matches. Competition ends on July 5.

Southeast Asian Games

The 28th Southeast Asian Games are underway in Singapore.Some 7,000 athletes from 11 countries will participate in the Games.

Competition ends on June 16.

Birthday for ATR Editor

Around the Rings editor Ed Hulacelebrates a birthday on June 17.

Written byNicole Bennett

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