The next few months promise to be busy for Patrick Hickey. The Irish leader, member of the IOC Executive Board, must supervise the preparation of the Rio Games, under the coordination commission, and that of the first European Games in Baku, next year, in his capacity as president of the Association of European Olympic Committees. He answered questions from FrancsJeux.
FrancsJeux: Are you satisfied with the way in which Baku and Azerbaijan are preparing to organize the first European Games, scheduled for next year?
Patrick Hickey: Yes, very satisfied. And also very impressed with the way the organizers are preparing the event. You should know that, unlike the Olympic Games where an organizing committee has 7 years to prepare its case, Baku and Azerbaijan only have two and a half years to do so. This is little. But they were able to learn a lot from other major events, notably the London Games in 2012. They learned the lessons. Today, they have already moved from the planning phase to the delivery phase of the event.
The creation of these first European Games was marked by the reluctance of certain national Olympic committees and international federations. What about today?
The situation is very positive today. But I believe we must remember the history of this event. Originally, the idea came from Jacques Rogge. Twenty years ago, he had mentioned the possibility of creating a European competition on the model of the Asian Games or the Pan American Games. But the project was abandoned because there were too many objections. The international calendar seemed too busy. We relaunched the idea six years ago. And we finally got the green light in 2011.
Will participation be at the expected level?
It will be higher than our expectations. Originally, we wanted to start modestly, with only nine sports on the program. But we had to increase the number to 19. And we are expecting around 6.000 athletes.
Will this first edition of the European Games be a test for the future?
No. The future of the event is already in motion. And it will have its own identity. The European Games should not be a copy of the Olympic Games or the Asian Games. Their originality lies in their program, where Olympic and non-Olympic disciplines coexist, such as karate or 3×3 basketball. Above all, these European Games must remain much smaller and more affordable than the Olympics or the Asian Games. We want them to remain inexpensive, simple to organize, very flexible and to use existing equipment and infrastructure.
Have you already started the application process for the next edition?
The second edition of the European Games is already scheduled, it will take place in 2019. We do not wish to launch a candidacy process comparable to that of the Olympic Games. Once again, we want to do things simply. We will chat live with motivated cities and countries. To date, three cities have shown interest: Glasgow, Rotterdam and Kazan/Sochi. A decision will be made next November.
Rumor has spread in recent days that the IOC is considering a fallback solution for the 2016 Games in the event that Brazil cannot organize them. There was even talk of a plan B, in London or Moscow. What is it really?
There will be no plan B in another city. It's a certainty. The rumors have no basis. The Brazilians are very late. But the IOC took matters into its own hands by sending a “task force” led by Gilbert Felli. Our plan B now consists of helping the Brazilians in any way possible to catch up and prepare for their Olympic Games. But I am confident. Everything will be ready on the big day. We have not forgotten the episode of the Pan American Games in 2007, in Brazil, the preparation for which was chaotic and worrying. In the end, they were among the most beautiful Pan American Games in history.
