Ilham Aliyev reviewed the progress of construction of the National Gymnastics Arena in Baku

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and his wife Mehriban Aliyeva have reviewed the progress of construction of the National Gymnastics Arena in Baku.

Important steps have been taken in our country in recent years to create a modern sports infrastructure, build and commission new facilities. More than 40 Olympic sports centers have been built in Azerbaijan, which is an active member of the international Olympic movement. At the same time, the Reconstruction of the existing sports facilities further enhances the capabilities of our country in international competitions.

Azerbaijan is preparing for the inaugural European games due to be held in 2015. The construction of the National Gymnastics Arena, which is an important part of the measures to strengthen the sports infrastructure in the country, is particularly important from this standpoint. The construction of the arena, the foundation of which was laid in a ceremony attended by the head of state in August 2009, has already been completed.

Youth and Sports Minister Azad Rahimov informed the President about the work done. It was noted that the façade of the complex has a special appearance. It contains screens displaying interesting illuminative elements. One of the most important features that increase the importance of the arena, which is mainly intended for gymnastics competitions, is the fact that it can be adapted for other sporting events and competitions. Depending on the scale of a competition, the number of seats in the arena can be increased from 5,000 to 9,600. The complex, built in accordance with international standards, has a press center, a first aid station, a dance hall and a gym, doping control rooms, offices, shops, cafes and ancillary facilities. The sports facility, which is expected to become one of the best gymnastic centers in Europe, will also have a hotel.

It was indicated that the National Gymnastics Arena would host the European Championship in Rhythmic Gymnastics in June of this year. In addition, the arena will host competitions in six gymnastic disciplines as part of the first European Games in 2015 and the 2019 World Cup in rhythmic gymnastics with licenses for the 2020 Olympics.

Then, President Ilham Aliyev and his wife Mehriban Aliyeva were familiarized with a gym built separately. The President and his wife watched gymnasts in training. The gym is fully equipped for athletes.

The President of the European Gymnastics Union has also praised the conditions created in the arena. The hall is fitted with the latest gymnastic equipment. It has been installed in accordance with the recommendations of the European Gymnastics Union and the Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation. Currently, women’s rhythmic gymnastics and men’s artistic gymnastics, trampoline, acrobatics and tumbling teams train at the Arena. Training courses organized by the International Federation of Gymnastics are also conducted here. Over the past two months training sessions have been organized for gymnasts from Turkey, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Mexico and Hungary. In the near future, gymnasts from Canada, the Czech Republic, Greece and Finland are expected to come to Baku for training.

The head of state and his wife were presented with the outfit of the national team.

In conclusion, a picture was taken as a souvenir.