Galandar Posted June 5, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 5, 2015 Spectator map: http://www.baku2015.com/spectators/index.html 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ikarus360 Posted June 6, 2015 Report Share Posted June 6, 2015 Dunno of this was posted already. They've show a very short teaser of the opening ceremony for the next week (btw, they've done a great job so far keeping the secret from everyone) Notice how the ground seem to have crack patterns (an arid desert?) and grass growing between them. It also seems Papaioannu will use water, once again. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brekkie Boy Posted June 7, 2015 Report Share Posted June 7, 2015 I agree that it is in Western Asia (Anatolia, the Levant, Arabia and the Caucasus), rather than Central Asia. But Azerbaijan is still an Asian country geographically and again mostly Asian socially. (religion, politics, etc) It is certainly also influenced by European civilization as well, but so is Australia and no one would say Australia is in Europe. You obviously missed this years Eurovision Song Contest then where Australia were invited to compete. Interestingly too Israel are sending a team to the European Games. Here in the UK the coverage is on pay-TV so it's hardly anticipated, especially as the key marquee events where Britain do well are not properly represented at the games. Really hope that within a decade or so the much more promising European Sports Championships merge with this event to create an event which truly is a European Olympics. So glad though the Netherlands is the next host - IMO one of the key reasons for a European Games is to give major European cities which aren't big enough for the Olympics the chance to showcase their cities. I do hope though that whatever happens that the individual sports federations also retain their own European Championships alongside any involvement in either the European Games or the European Sports Championships so that cities not capable of hosting multi-sport events don't lose out. P.S. Meant to say though that the only exposure the games are getting is the Baku2015 ad airing quite frequently over the last few days - it appeared many times during the French Open finals, though really can't see many people deciding now that they're going to pop to Azerbaijan for the event with barely a weeks notice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StefanMUC Posted June 8, 2015 Report Share Posted June 8, 2015 I read yesterday that Germany isn't sending anyone in Athletics and only a junior team in Swimming. Clearly shows DOSB priorities, given that both IAAF and FINA Worlds are coming up as well. I guess other countries will act similarly, which should be kept in mind when looking at the medal table eventually. If there weren't some sports with Rio Qualifiers, there would be even less interest. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StefanMUC Posted June 8, 2015 Report Share Posted June 8, 2015 And further good news from Baku: http://www.rferl.mobi/a/27055923.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galandar Posted June 8, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 8, 2015 And further good news from Baku: http://www.rferl.mobi/a/27055923.html This news has nothing to do with the European Games! But let me say you something. If you know politics you have probably heard about Minsk Group of OSCE "trying" to peacefully solve the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Those negotiations over 20 years brought us to nowhere. Peace is still not anywhere close to our doors, our lands are still under occupation and refugees are still refugees. If this is what OSCE can do then really, screw this impotent organization. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
intoronto Posted June 8, 2015 Report Share Posted June 8, 2015 $60M torch relay for Pan-American Games: food for thought for critics of European GamesThe first-ever European Games which will held in Baku from 12 to 28 June, are in the focus of the world media. Various TV channels prepare materials, different articles devoted to the upcoming games are also published in leading print media outlets, news agencies and social networks. And, along with objective information there are also groundless accusations. In particular, an assumption is put forward, that the government of Azerbaijan spent billions developing the sports infrastructure for the First European Games. This is while according to the country’s government, some 950 million AZN was allocated from the state budget for the organization of the Games. Aside from it, Azerbaijani officials have previously stated that even before the decision on holding the Games in Baku, Azerbaijan adopted a state program on development of the country’s sports potential. The main objective of the program is to get Azerbaijan’s sports infrastructure ready to hold major events of continental and world levels. The realization of the program started to go faster once the decision to hold the European Games was announced. It should be noted that the First European games are not the only huge event that will take place this summer. From 10 to 26 July the Pan-American Games will be held in Toronto, Canada. Even though the scale of this event is quite big, the world media outlets, for some reasons, didn't pay enough attention to it. Nonetheless, a recently published report regarding Canada's expenses on organizing the Pan-American Games makes critical statements on the European Games' budget look ridiculous. Further on: the budget of the Pan American Games is 2.5 times higher than the budget of the First European Games. Azerbaijan foresees spending some $950 million on preparations for the European Games. The spendings on the Pan American Games, in accordance with the primary data, have already reached $2.5 billion - although the organizers previously stated that they will not go beyond the proposed budget of $1.4 billion. The Pan-American games will feature some 7,000 athletes from 41 countries of North and South America and Caribbean basin, who will compete in 36 sport disciplines for 364 medals. For comparison: there will be a total of 20 sports at Baku 2015. More than 6,000 athletes from 50 countries will compete for 253 medals. As we can see, the difference between the figures is not huge, and yet the difference between the spent budgets is quite big. Another valid point that must be considered is that it will be the XVII Pan American Games while the European games will be held for the first time in sports history. The money that Canada spent for "Toronto 2015" represent the record level in the whole history of the Pan-American Games. In 2011, Mexico spent just $750 million for Pan-American Games in Guadalajara. At the same time, the income that the organizing committee of the current Pan American games expects, amounts only 172 million CAD, which makes less than 10 percent of the money that have been already spent. As for Canada's sports infrastructure, from the 30 arenas where competitions will be held, 10 are new, while 14 are either newly built or fully modernized. The country spent more than $567 million dollars on construction of the athletes village. Another $190 million have been spent on security, and $70 million - on transportation. A more interesting fact is that some $60 million was spent on the movement of the torch of the Pan-American Games. At the same time, Canada also experiences problems related to the timely delivery of the sports facilities. As a result, their construction and modernization requires more money than it was expected in the first place. For example, the budget of Centennial Park Pan Am BMX Centre increased from $1.54 million to $4 million, while the budget of Cookstown Pan Am equestrian center jumped from $2.5 million to $6.2 million. So here's the burning question: why do some overseas media outlets, who so vehemently discuss and criticize the upcoming European Games, including the money spent and the participation of the world leaders at the grand opening, remain quiet to what is happening in Canada? Isn't it an indication of bias towards Azerbaijan? The answer seems obvious. Lol at the amount of inaccuracies in this article. Its Baku's pathetic attempt to try and reduce the criticism. Oh well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nacholympic Posted June 8, 2015 Report Share Posted June 8, 2015 OMG!!! Any spoiler post for the Opening Ceremony??? How can they keep this secret so strongly???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StefanMUC Posted June 9, 2015 Report Share Posted June 9, 2015 OMG!!! Any spoiler post for the Opening Ceremony??? How can they keep this secret so strongly???? Because nobody really cares about the Aliyev Games? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nacholympic Posted June 9, 2015 Report Share Posted June 9, 2015 Because nobody really cares about the Aliyev Games? :D :lol: Your honesty really sucks!!!!!! :P :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galandar Posted June 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 9, 2015 :D :lol: Your honesty really sucks!!!!!! :P :lol:The dog barks, but the caravan goes on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galandar Posted June 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 9, 2015 OMG!!! Any spoiler post for the Opening Ceremony??? How can they keep this secret so strongly???? It is coming soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galandar Posted June 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 9, 2015 Testing fireworks at the Baku Olympic stadium Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ikarus360 Posted June 9, 2015 Report Share Posted June 9, 2015 The opening ceremony is without doubt going to be the best one of this year. I should feel bad for watching a show which is intended to divert my attention from all the issues this dictatorship faces, though. But aw well. The skirt girl thing seems like it could be the placard bearers, but i cant tell. Also the sneak peak suggests we'll be having a drum ensemble like Athens 2004. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bairrosfelipe Posted June 9, 2015 Report Share Posted June 9, 2015 Is possible watch the ceremonies online? The ceremony will be published on Youtube? I NEED WATCH IT! Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ikarus360 Posted June 10, 2015 Report Share Posted June 10, 2015 ^^ Most likely, specially seeing how the official youtube channels these days tend to upload the ceremonies now on their account (Olympics, SEA Games, Glasgow 2014, etc) These vids show a bit more of what we saw on the teasers This video hints strongly that we might see a Clepsydra 2.0 in the opening ceremony. Notice the 2 dimensional figures and the mechanisms. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galandar Posted June 10, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 10, 2015 Athletes and Media villages Friday’s Opening Ceremony for the inaugural event will be staged in front of a full house Baku 2015 has announced that all tickets for the Opening Ceremony of the first European Games, to be held in the brand-new Olympic Stadium, have now been sold. It will still be possible to enjoy the show without a ticket, however, as the Opening Ceremony will be streamed live on Baku2015.com and YouTube at 9pm Baku time on June 12, preceded by live coverage of the big day from midday Baku time on the site and through social media. The ramp-up to the Opening Ceremony will include a live blog, tweets and posts of the excitement building throughout the Azerbaijani capital. Exclusive behind-the-scenes clips will be revealed, and a 10-minute highlights package will be made available minutes after the end of the event. Mr Simon Clegg, Chief Operating Officer of Baku 2015, said: “This is an amazing achievement and something of which we should be extremely proud for what will be the biggest night in Azerbaijan’s sporting history. “For 30 months we have been transforming a vision into a reality, and now we will welcome the most significant addition to the European sporting calendar for 50 years with a full stadium." Tickets for sporting competitions are also selling briskly, with over 100 of the sessions already sold out. Spectators looking to buy purchase Baku 2015 sport competition tickets can make use of the ticket booths across Baku and the one in Mingachevir, or alternatively buy online at www.baku2015.com/tickets. Both ticket sales and exchange of online purchase confirmation receipts are available at the ticket booths. http://www.baku2015.com/news/article/baku-2015-european-games-opening-ceremony-sold-out.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galandar Posted June 10, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 10, 2015 First delegations arrive and settle in the atheletes village: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baron-pierreIV Posted June 10, 2015 Report Share Posted June 10, 2015 For the OC, apparently Catherine Ugwu is the Exec Producer; and Papaioannou is directing Opening and a James Hadley for Closing. We shall see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bairrosfelipe Posted June 10, 2015 Report Share Posted June 10, 2015 Article in the Rio 2016 website talking about the qualifications to Olympics next year. Results of European Games 2015 will have direct consequences for 2016 Olympic qualifications. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baron-pierreIV Posted June 10, 2015 Report Share Posted June 10, 2015 Article in the Rio 2016 website talking about the qualifications to Olympics next year. Results of European Games 2015 will have direct consequences for 2016 Olympic qualifications. Almost all the world championships and major int'l meets this year and early next year double-up as qualifiers for usually the first 2 or 3 places in the Olympic sports. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ikarus360 Posted June 11, 2015 Report Share Posted June 11, 2015 And now Netherlands has pulled out. Makes you wonder if all the money Aliyev put on this show had something to do with it (then again, northern europe always seem to be chicken **** when it comes to host these events) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galandar Posted June 11, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 11, 2015 Lisbon-to-Baku cyclist arrives for Opening Ceremony Having cycled 7,000km from Lisbon – the most westerly capital in Europe – to Baku – the continent's easternmost capital – Jorge Cristóvão deserved a reward. He duly received one on Wednesday night in the form of tickets to the Opening Ceremony of the first European Games. The sports-mad Portuguese cyclist was among a host of VIP guests at the Baku 2015 European Hospitality Club, which was officially opened by the First Lady of Azerbaijan and Chair of the Baku 2015 European Games Organising Committee, Mehriban Aliyeva. Cristóvão and the First Lady were joined by Patrick Hickey, President of the European Olympic Committees and Baku 2015 Chief Operating Officer, Simon Clegg, at the opening event.The Club, which is located close to the city's famous Boulevard, will host VIPs, dignitaries and sponsors during the first European Games. Cristóvão, 53, who undertook his mammoth challenge in order to spread awareness of the Games, was presented with two tickets to Friday’s sold out Opening Ceremony.After leaving Lisbon on 10 April, Cristóvão pedalled through Spain, France, Monaco, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan. Along the way he carried a Portuguese flag presented to him by the Olympic Committee of Portugal’s Chef de Mission, José Garcia. It will be used by the Portuguese delegation’s flagbearer at the Opening Ceremony. http://www.baku2015.com/news/article/lisbon-baku-cyclist-arrives-for-opening-ceremony.html And now Netherlands has pulled out. Makes you wonder if all the money Aliyev put on this show had something to do with it (then again, northern europe always seem to be chicken **** when it comes to host these events) Holland pulling out means nothing. EOC wanted the Netherlands to host, they fail to to do so. Now EOC will award a different city with the rights to host the next edition. In the press conference today Patrik Hickey told that after they received the bad news from the Netherlands some 6 cities across Europe (Valencia is one of them) immediately showed their interest in hosting the EG 2019. He told that EOC will come back to the issue of choosing the next host right after Baku 2015. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob2012 Posted June 11, 2015 Report Share Posted June 11, 2015 (edited) They've banned The Guardian! What a ridiculous place! http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/jun/11/azerbaijan-bans-guardian-european-games-baku-2015 At least this clarifies what the first edition of these Games and those in government behind them are actually about. No more doubt. Edited June 11, 2015 by Rob. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StefanMUC Posted June 11, 2015 Report Share Posted June 11, 2015 They've banned The Guardian! What a ridiculous place! http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/jun/11/azerbaijan-bans-guardian-european-games-baku-2015 At least this clarifies what the first edition of these Games and those in government behind them are actually about. No more doubt. The masks are coming off and anyone still defending this farce (hello Galandar) should question themselves now. The Azeri embassy in Berlin yesterday thought it wise to issue a press statement complaining about a "smear campaign" in certain media and claiming that Az has made so much progress since independence... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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