Sambo Joins European Games; Wrestling, Boxing Changes

(ATR) Sambo has been added to the sports program of the inaugural European Games in Baku.

The announcement Friday is in line with the European Olympic Committees’ vision to make the European Games innovative and pioneering. The International Sambo Federation pitched Baku 2015, with the EOC ratifying a decision by Games organisers to make sambo the 20th sport on the program.

Sambo is an explosive mix of judo, jujitsu and wrestling as well as other fighting styles, and is extremely popular in Azerbaijan and surrounding Caucasus region.

Around the Rings understands that the sport was included following an intense lobbying campaign by the sambo federation, backed by strong support from Russian president Vladimir Putin and other heads of state in the region.

Baku 2015 and the EOC insisted that the decision to add sambo was taken because they want to give each European Games a local flavor and deliver an attractive event of wide appeal.

"We are trying to be innovative, be different, be pioneering," a source close to Baku 2015 told ATR.

"We are trying to set a precedent for future Games, which will include strong regional sports on the program. If it works well, it may become a tradition for upcoming Games."

He said the inclusion of sambo would "guarantee full venues and high TV ratings and media coverage, which will be great for regional sponsors".

Simon Clegg, chief operating officer of Baku 2015, said sambo "will further increase the excitement about the event".

No other sports are expected to be added to the Games, which open next June. The program now includes 16 Olympic sports and four non-Olympic sports.

Boxing Ranking Points

Baku 2015 also announced that the International Boxing Association (AIBA) has decided to allocate ranking points for competitions at continental multi-sport Games such as the European Games.

AIBA’s new policy means that fighters who win gold next year in Azerbaijan will now also win up to 700 vital ranking points on the AIBA Ranking System.

"AIBA’s decision to allocate ranking points at continental Games recognizes that the best boxers in the world are now frequently competing at these events, raising the standard of competition to an extremely high level," said federation president C.K. Wu.

"I am very excited to see how the European Games contributes to the continued development of boxing in Europe in the future."

Wrestling Adds Weight Categories

In recognition of wrestling’s popularity in Azerbaijan and the region, Baku 2015 organisers have added six more weight categories. An additional 80 quota places were granted to the sport and will be filled by the InternationalFederation of Associated Wrestling Styles (FILA).

In total, more than 480 wrestlers will now compete at Baku 2015 over six days of action, with 24 gold medals to be won in the men’s and women’s categories at the Heydar Aliyev Arena.

"It is wonderful to have increased allocation for our athletes to compete at the first European Games," said FILA chief Nenad Lalovic. "We are very much looking forward to Europe’s finest wrestlers battling it out for the honour of being recognised as the first ever continental champion."

Street Athletics

The Baku 2015 European Games Operations Committee (BEGOC) also confirmed that street athletics, featuring high jump and pole vault, will be a demonstration sport at next year’s event. Only two disciplines are included in the athletics program, although more are likely to be introduced for the 2019 edition of the European Games.

Next week, the EOC’s coordination commission for the European Games, led by Spyros Capralos, will be in Baku for a three-day check-up on preparations.

Reported by Mark Bisson.

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