First Lady of Azerbaijan Promotes Baku 2015 in Cannes

(ATR) The First Lady of Azerbaijan is part of a Baku 2015 delegation promoting the inaugural European Games in Cannes this week.

Mehriban Aliyeva, who heads the European Games organising committee, joined sports minister and Baku 2015 CEO Azad Rahimov to attend the public opening of a Baku 2015 European Games Exhibition in the French resort on Wednesday.

Afterwards, they watched Azerbaijan’s spectacular entry, produced by the Baku Firework Group, in the Festival d’Art Pyrotechnique.

Aliyeva spoke about the vision for Baku 2015 at a formal dinner hosted by Mayor of Cannes David Lisnard and attended by over 300 people, including members of the European Olympic Committees.

Her three-day visit culminates on Friday with a 10km race along the Promenade de la Croisette. The First Lady will present the winners of the race with their medals.

"I am delighted to represent the Republic of Azerbaijan in the magnificent city of Cannes and give an insight into the inaugural European Games which will take place in Baku next June," she said in a statement.

"The Games will be of benefit to Azerbaijanis of all ages across the whole country, but particularly to the young people of our nation. Baku 2015 will create positive memories and excellent facilities to inspire this generation to take-up and continue to play sport throughout their lives."

Rahimov added: "At Baku 2015 we continue to make rapid progress towards delivering the first-ever European Games and we are fully confident that we will deliver the perfect stage for athletes from across Europe to achieve their goals.

"The Games will be the largest multi-sport event in the history of Azerbaijan and we are determined to be innovative and sustainable, to try new concepts, and to deliver a first-class event."

Written by Mark Bisson

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