Praise for preparation and holding of first European Games in Baku- Lithuania

The level of preparing and holding the first European Games in Baku is very high, Daina Gudzinevi?i?t?, president of the National Olympic Committee of Lithuania, told Trend June 15.

"We have not faced any problems and difficulties,” she said. “Everything is ready and very nice. Together with our delegation we noticed that the woman's activity is felt everywhere, that is, the activity of the first lady of Azerbaijan, chairperson of the Organizing Committee for the Games. Of course, the level of sports facilities is very important. Everything looks nice and leaves a good impression."

Gudzinevi?i?t? also shared her impressions of the opening ceremony.

"The opening ceremony of the first European Games was very impressive,” she said. “Of course, I thought it would be as the Olympic Games and my expectations were confirmed. It was very exciting to watch the ceremony. I liked the performance very much and the level was very high."

The country at the first European Games is represented by a delegation of 72 athletes in almost all kinds of sports, according to the president of the National Olympic Committee of Lithuania. “We are looking forward to medals,” she said.

“The Lithuanian wrestlers were competing June 14, we were supporting them a lot, but unfortunately they were not able to reach the next stage,” said Gudzinevi?i?t?. “We did not know that the Azerbaijani wrestlers are much stronger.”

The head of the National Olympic Committee expects good results from the Lithuanian basketball players as well.

The head of the National Olympic Committee said that before the Games, the Olympic Committee of Lithuania took the initiative to inform the Lithuanian fans about the first European Games in Baku. In this regard, cards with the symbols of European Games have been issued, which could be obtained free of charge at post offices of major cities of Lithuania and sent to the loved ones. Thus, Lithuanians long before the Games were informed about this great event in the history of the sport, she said.

Gudzinevi?i?t? sent the first postcard to the organizers of the Games. Some 10,000 postcards were handed over to the post offices in Vilnius, Klaipeda, Siauliai and Panevezys.

The European Games t kicked off in Baku June 12 and will last till June 28.

There is a total of 20 sports at Baku 2015: 16 Olympic sports and four non-Olympic sports. More than 6,000 athletes from across Europe will be representing their nations over 17 days of competition.

Baku was awarded the games by the European Olympic Committees (EOC) in December 2012.

/By Trend/