Baku 2015 anniversary brings new logo and look for European Olympic Committee

/By Azernews/

By Gunay Camal

Last summer, Baku staged the greatest show ever staged in Azerbaijan and delivered a fantastic European Games.

History was made in Azerbaijan’s capital in June 2015 as the city hosted the inaugural European Games, which were awarded to the city by the European Olympic Committees (EOC). Over 17 days of intense competition, Baku welcomed 6,000 athletes from 50 countries for a colorful festival of elite sport that saw some of the world’s leading athletes rub shoulders with stars of tomorrow.

The competitions took place in 12 permanent and 6 temporary sport venues, located in four main clusters. The state-of-art facilities included the new Olympic Stadium, which hosted the Opening and Closing Ceremonies and two days of Athletics, National Gymnastics Arena and many others.

The EOC has marked the first anniversary of the inaugural European Games in Baku, by announcing that a new logo and look for the EOC and for all its major events – including the European Games and European Youth Olympic Festival that will be launched later this year.

Precisely twelve months on from the stunning Opening Ceremony of Baku 2015, the EOC is teasing this new logo and look by releasing a commemorative mosaic of inspiring images from Baku 2015 across its social media channels. Design elements from this mosaic will feature prominently in the EOC’s new logo and look, the official website of the EOC reported.

The mosaic captures the passion and excitement of the 17-day inaugural edition of the European Games which was held from 12-28 June 2015 and featured athletes from all 50 European National Olympic Committees.

EOC President Patrick Hickey said Baku 2015 was a landmark moment in European sport, stressing that it featured first-class athletes, with both world and Olympic champions competing, in a fascinating, thriving and young European capital.

“Baku 2015 has given the European Games concept a superb lift off, setting it up well for a second edition in 2019 and further editions in 2023 and beyond. It also provided European athletes with a perfect springboard for their preparations for this Olympic year.

“As we celebrate this one year anniversary, I would like to thank the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva for their crucial role in helping the European Games take flight,” he said.

The First European Games successfully fulfilled its mission to unite people of various countries. Baku 2015 saw 3,264 male and 2,590 female athletes compete in 253 medal events across 20 sports (both Olympic and non-Olympic) all aiming to become the first ever European Games champion.

EOC President Patrick Hickey added that Baku was a fantastic moment for the EOC. “But we are always looking to the future and part of that involves establishing a new logo and look for the EOC. This beautiful mosaic design commemorating Baku will be feature strongly in that logo, which will reflect key European cultural influences past and present.”

An estimated worldwide television audience of 1.7 billion people watched the sports events and ceremonies at Baku 2015, with footage broadcast via 38 European broadcast stations and an additional 53 from outside Europe.