Baku to host European Gymnastics Championship - UPDATED- PHOTOS

The decision to hold the European Championship in Gymnastics in Azerbaijan in 2014 was made today. The Twenty-Third European Championships in Rhythmic Gymnastics was held in the Heydar Aliyev Sport and Concert Complex in Baku in June 2007.

European championship was held in Baku in 2007-2009. World championship was held in Baku in 2005.

In this regard, at a press conference held by the Youth and Sport Ministry jointly with the European Union of Gymnastics, Azerbaijani Youth and Sports Minister Azad Rahimov said the 2014 European Gymnastics Championships will be held at the Gymnastics Olympic Complex, which is under construction.

"The complex will be ready by May 2014," Rahimov said.

Vice-President of the European Union of Gymnastics Rudolf Hediger said the Championships will be held in Baku on June 9-14 2014. The Championships is expected to be attended by 240 gymnasts and 80 officials.

He said there are three reasons to select Baku as a host.

"First, holding the World and European championships in 2005, 2007, 2009 in Baku made us confident that Azerbaijan shows responsibility in holding such championships. The second reasons is that Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation is the most reliable and responsible partner of the European Union of Gymnastics, and our relations are successful," Hediger added.

He said the third reason is gymnastics is kind of Olympic Sports and there is a great interest in gymnastics in Azerbaijan, and state pays great attention.

/Trend/