Patrick Hickey: "Azerbaijan has enough resources to host 2016 Summer Olympic Games"

He stated that the rapid development of sports in Azerbaijan is obvious, APA reports.

"Each country has its own development program. Some kinds of sports differ in some countries for their development. The sport is improving very rapidly in Azerbaijan. Modern sport centres have been constructed here lately. I witnessed this improvement whilst participating in the opening ceremony of Masalli Sport Centre. I think this centre will be of great benefit for the people living in the region. They build such sport centres to develop the country more widely," he underscored.

EOC president didn't agree with such statements that Azerbaijan doesn't have much chance to host 2016 Olympic Games. He noted that there is enough appropriate conditions in Azerbaijan to host the Olympic Games.

"It should be considered that Winter Olympiad is held between two Summer Olympic Games. Other continent may also host Winter Games. Madrid, Prague as well as Baku have great chance. I think Azerbaijan has enough conditions to host Olympic Games in 2016. We discussed the issue at the meeting with Youth and Sports minister Azad Rehimov and National Olympic Committee vice-president Chingiz Huseynzade," he said.

Hickey also mentioned that the nomination of a city for the Olympic Games is not always successful.

"I would like to underline an important matter. Most cities joining the contests for the first time to host the games lost in the first round. In fact, only Atlanta won the contest in first chance," he said.

He noted that some other kinds of sports, especially karate, are likely to be included in Olympic Games.

"After each Olympic Games finish, assessment is made of each sport. Last time the baseball and softball went out. And karate, golf and rugby came in. 50% of vote is required to remove any sport from the program. Karate was not included because 2/3 majority of vote was required before. I think karate will be included in the program this time," he said.

Hickey stated that European Olympic Committee aids to the member countries equally. He noted that Azerbaijan Olympic Committee participates in several programs.