/By AzerNews/

By Amina Nazarli

The 2015 will be a particular year in the world sport history. Surely Azerbaijan won’t stay outside this history, Alexander Gusyatnikov, UEC Vice-President said in his interview with the AzVIF press office.

He highlighted the importance of the first Baku European Games which will be a great step towards the brightest future.

The UEC official visited the training camp in Calpe, Spain, where the world’s most professional teams, such as Itera Katyusha (Russia), Astana (Kazakhstan), CCC (Poland) and Azerbaijan’s Synergy Baku have winter training.

He also commented on the planned games-time road race competition.

“Since many years ago, there have not been any European Road Race championships in Elite category. This is because of the highest rank of the athletes coming from Europe which will affect the rankings of the World Championship. However, the UEC has planned to reinstate the Elite European Championship program as of 2016. Therefore we are sure that the first European Games will be a clear mirror showing the effects of European Championship,” he said.

According to the UEC vice-president, the Europe’s leading teams keep supporting the reinstatement of the European Championship, because of which the road cycling competition has been included in the European Games competition program.

He was doubtless about successful organization of the games in this mid-year, and highlighted the expected visit of the strongest athletes to Azerbaijan.

“The last stage of the Tour of Azerbaijan 2014 was held in Baku and this plan worked very well indeed. This also grabbed the attention of the UEC officials in terms of approving this route for the games-time road race event. The UEC is working on a plan to confirm it as a 100% safe route to operate the road race competition. Who would refuse to hold this event in the heart of such a beautiful city?" he said.

"Regarding the BMX venue, it is almost finished according to the UCI requirements. In general, I will admit that there are superb works are being done in Baku. Throughout these works we see how President Ilham Aliyev supports the sports in the newly flourishing Azerbaijan,” said Gusyatnikov.

As the biggest sporting event in Azerbaijan's history, Baku 2015 European Games will attract more than 6,000 athletes to represent 49 countries in 20 sports on June 12-28.

The Baku 2015 Games will take place in 21 stadia and facilities. The official opening ceremony of the Games will take place in the 68,000-seat Baku Olympic Stadium. The Athletes Village will accommodate up to 7,300 people.