Third and final part of our series of interviews with key players in the first European Games, scheduled from June 12 to 28, 2015 in Baku, capital of Azerbaijan. One year before the event, the expert view of Patrick Hickey, IOC member and president of the Association of European National Olympic Committees.
FrancsJeux: Is the city of Baku the best place to organize the first European Games in history?
Patrick Hickey: Baku is an excellent option, a very good city for a first edition. We are very happy with the way things are going, especially in terms of organization.
One year before the event, these European Games still remain relatively unknown. How will you support the promotional effort?
Everyone is aware of it, the promotion of the event has remained very slow since the beginning. Organizers need to improve this aspect of Games preparation. Outside of the Olympic world, nothing has really been done. The media, in particular, must be convinced. A group of international ambassadors will be formed to ensure its promotion in different European countries. The first of them is the Frenchman David Douillet, double Olympic judo champion. But progress is already visible. As proof, I cite the broadcast by several foreign television channels of images of the ceremony marking D – 365 days before the start of the Games.
How do you plan to attract foreign audiences to a country where entry is subject to obtaining a visa?
This visa issue must be resolved before the Games, that’s obvious. A form of visa exemption must be considered for the duration of the event, as has already been done for the Olympic Games. Azerbaijan must show the rest of Europe that it is a European country. The Baku Games will provide a fantastic opportunity to convey this message. They should also help highlight Azerbaijan’s tourism potential.
Would you say that Azerbaijan is a sporting nation?
I would say that it is a nation that has the desire to improve its sporting results. And the European Games should help him achieve this.
How does the second edition of the European Games, scheduled for 2019, look?
We have already been approached directly by four European cities wishing to organize the event. Our desire today is to adapt the event to the cities that want to host it, and not the opposite. In my opinion, the European Games can emerge as an interesting opportunity for medium-sized cities, like Lyon or Glasgow for example.
Will we one day see a first edition of the European Winter Games?
Why not. The idea has already been suggested to us by two cities from dominant countries in winter sports. We will think about it. But we must move forward step by step.
