Azerbaijani Olympians to have protection bag from Zika virus

/By Azernews/

By Rashid Shirinov

Azerbaijani athletes heading to the long-anticipated XXXI Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro will have special bags protecting them from dangerous Zika virus. 

The National Institute of Sports Medicine, Diagnosis and Rehabilitation ordered over 100 bags with spray, creams against mosquito bites and other medical facilities to protect the athletes from the virus, which has recently alarmed the international community. These bags will be distributed to the Azerbaijani athletes and other members of the delegation.

Minister of Youth and Sport Azad Rahimov made the statement on July 18, at the official send-off ceremony of the Azerbaijani delegation to the Rio Summer Olympic Games.

He said that the Azerbaijani sportsmen began their preparation for Rio right after the Summer Olympics in London, 2013.

“In 2013-2015 and for 6 months of 2016, our athletes participated in over 1,000 formal and informal international competitions, winning a total of 2,723 medals with 1,042 referred to Olympic sports,” Rahimov said.

Lately, Azerbaijan showed itself to be a sport country, and the fact that the Azerbaijani sportsmen took the second place for the number of medals among 50 European countries at the 2015 First European Games in Baku, proves that.

This June, the country has held another major sports event – Formula 1 Grand Prix of Europe, which gathered over 20 world-known racers including Nico Rosberg, Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso.

Rahimov spoke about sport prospects in the country: “We have another grand sports event ahead – the IV Islamic Solidarity Games, which will bring together athletes from 57 Muslim States. The demonstration of such diversity through sport in Azerbaijan is a clear evidence of our country’s commitment to multicultural values.”

Moreover, numerous international events are held beyond the country’s capital Baku – 41 Olympic complexes operate for that purpose. “As a result, our current Olympic team consists of athletes not only from Baku but also Nakhchivan, Ganja, Sumgayit, Mingachevir, Lankaran, Astara, Balakan, Gabala and other cities of the country,” he stressed.

The Azerbaijani Olympians managed to gain 57 licenses in 18 sports for the coming Rio Games. For the first time Azerbaijan will be represented in such sports as triathlon, archery, cycling and canoe slalom. Rio 2016 will be the first Olympic performance for 36 of 56 Azerbaijani athletes.

Moreover, three referees in wrestling, gymnastics and boxing will represent Azerbaijan at the Games.

Greeting of Azerbaijani athletes and the raising of the Azerbaijani flag will be held on August 3 in the Olympic village. In conclusion, Rahimov expressed his hope that the Azerbaijani sportsmen will live up the support of the Azerbaijani nation and the President, and will persistently fight to the end.