First European Games annihilates bad publicity

/By AzerNews/

By Aynur Karimova

Baku 2015, the first ever European Games, could remain in the memories of its participants for its fascinating and mesmerizing opening ceremony and impressive organization of competitions. The echo of the Games rapidly spread throughout social networks and became a hit on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Biased statements about the failure of the first European Games stepped back into the shadow of success at the professionally-organized event.

In the last six months, the groups and forces that have been trying to smear the Games with great enthusiasm, have had to change fronts in an instant.

The Baku 2015 European Games, which commenced in the Azerbaijani capital of Baku on June 12, is the first of its kind. The Games gathered over 6,000 athletes from around Europe to participate in 20 sports, 16 of which are Olympic and 12 of which are qualifiers for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.

The ceremony was attended by high-ranking officials including Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev, the Chair of Baku 2015 First European Games Organizing Committee First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, as well as official representatives from various countries, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Belorussian President Alexander Lukashenko, Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic, Turkmenistan’s President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon, and Filip Vujanovic, the President of Montenegro.

The opening ceremony included all things Azerbaijani, from its ancient history to its modern lifestyles. Immediately after, tweets hash tagged #Baku2015 trended at second place on Twitter. The majority of the tweets were dedicated to the spectacular opening ceremony. To gain the status of one of the most popular news items on social media isn't easy. With this success, Azerbaijan once more proved its ability to host high level sporting events.

Baku 2015 was also at the top of the list of most discussed issues on Instagram. The number of posts hash tagged with #Baku2015 broke the record to hit 220,000 in just the first day of the first European Games. The users composed statuses about the wonderful opening ceremony, as well as that beautiful of the pearl of the Caspian Sea: Baku.

A fandom army comprised of several thousand fans was formed on Facebook as well, which covers a larger audience.

Baku 2015, the successful result of serious efforts and intense organization, gained victory over negative emotions and neutralized the forces that had earlier made the contest into the center of political debates. Now, these same groups are following the tournament tables and discussing the results of the competitions.

The Baku 2015 European Games not only skillfully overcame all obstacles, but also became a bright event that crushed the pessimistic thoughts of its European skeptics.

The Games are experiencing a previously unthinkable high rate of viewership.

Even Simon Clegg, Baku 2015’s chief operating officer, didn’t hide his astonishment with the huge number of tickets sold: "We have observed 100 percent spectators in most games."

The impressive opening ceremony of the inaugural European Games on June 12, which astonished all of Europe with its Azerbaijani culture-themed production, was watched by 68,000 people in Baku’s Olympic stadium along with millions around the world. After witnessing the extravagant production, thousands flocked to box offices and ticket kiosks to experience those same feelings again. Thus, all 48,000 tickets for the closing ceremony are sold out.

“Three days after the opening ceremony a total of 38,500 tickets were sold,” said Clegg.

The hard but fruitful logistical work, carried out in 30 months to create the needed sports infrastructure in accordance with European standards, once again smashed the unjust claims of the anti-Azerbaijani circles.

All of this shows the success of the Games. Baku 2015 once again proved the young country's ability to host major events. These Games introduced Azerbaijan, the Land of Fire, to the world in a totally different light.

The inspiring and pride-filled Games, whereby the slightest details were taken into account, overcame all myths in one night. The world again recognized the young independent, progressive, and modern country of Azerbaijan as one no different from any other in Europe for its successful development and ancient culture.

These Games have presented Azerbaijan as a model of hospitality to the world. Guests in Baku, both athletes, as well as tourists, cannot hide their admiration and impressions on the fast developing country.

The Baku 2015 First European Games is Azerbaijan's latest victory. No one expected that the young country would be able to cope with such a huge event. The first major sporting event in the history of the European continent, however, crushed bad emotions and destroyed the negative imagery of the Games.