A museum dedicated to the inaugural European Games will be created in the Baku Olympic Stadium, said Azad Rahimov, Youth and Sports Minister of Azerbaijan.
“The museum will mainly showcase different clothes and other items that were used at the opening ceremony,” he said on June 15.
The minister went on to add that the opening of the museum will be held after the completion of the first European Games that will end on June 28.
The minister added that there are no plans to create a separate museum devoted to the European Games in general.
“Nevertheless, construction of the Olympic Museum has already started and the entire sports history of the country will be reflected there,” he said.
Azerbaijan did not expect to gain so many gold medals, he told reporters.
"To gain six gold medals for the first three days is significant,” he said. “The fact that the competitions are being held in Azerbaijan has strengthened our athletes."
The minister emphasized the achievements reached in the triathlon.
"The triathlon has been developed in Azerbaijan for about a year,” he said. “A year ago, the Azerbaijan Triathlon Federation was registered in both the International Triathlon Union and the European Triathlon Union. The fact that we have achieved high results shows that Azerbaijan is a sporting country. We pay equal attention to all kinds of sport. Our athlete’s victory will inspire young people to engage in this kind of sport and to achieve success in the triathlon. Of course, this is a positive factor."
Baku was awarded to host the inaugural and innovative event by the European Olympic Committees in December 2012.
The European Games kicked off in Baku on June 12 with a grandiose show that presented the world the history of Azerbaijan, its culture, art and traditions.
The first issue of the Games in Baku gathered over 6,000 athletes from 50 countries of Europe to compete in 20 sports, 16 of which are Olympic. The Games provide 12 licenses to Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
The next country to host European Games in 2019 is still unclear.
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