Baku, 12th June 2014 – Joined by EOC President Patrick Hickey and Secretary General Raffaele Pagnozzi, following a hard day’s work and a splendid official dinner, the delegates at the Chef de Mission seminar joined the people of Baku for the spectacular music and firework show that marked One Year to Go to the inaugural Baku 2015 European Games.

The celebrations took place on the seafront boulevard and was attended by 25,000 people, as well as being followed live on TV by the rest of the population.

“We are very proud to have celebrated this important milestone” said Azad Rahimov, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Youth and Sports and Chief Executive of Baku 2015.

“The whole of Azerbaijan is passionate about hosting the European Games and you could feel the excitement all over Baku for our One Year To Go celebrations. The European Games will have a long term positive impact on our country, and particularly on the lives of our young people. We look forward to welcoming people from across Europe to Baku to enjoy world class sport in an amazing city.”

EOC President Patrick Hickey said: “With one year to go, it is the perfect moment to look back at what the EOC and BEGOC have achieved together over the last two years. The scale and pace of development here in Baku has been remarkable. But we do not have a moment to lose: two years of excellent work have given us the opportunity to stage a truly outstanding inaugural European Games, and we must make the most of that opportunity.

“Baku 2015 is already in the home straight, and under the leadership of Minister Rahimov I am positive BEGOC will deliver an innovative, sustainable, impactful and athlete-centred European Games.”

Today, the last day for the Seminar, will end with a Gala Dinner at the Buda Palace in central Baku.