The EOC today proudly celebrates 10 years since the Opening Ceremony of the inaugural European Games in Baku, together with its partners from the Azerbaijan National Olympic Committee (NOC).
Baku 2015 was a landmark moment as the first-ever Continental Games held in Europe, bringing together nearly 6,000 athletes from 50 countries who competed across 20 sports.
EOC President Spyros Capralos served as Chair of the Coordination Commission for Baku 2015, and reflected on his memories of a spectacular showcase of European sport.
President Capralos said: “Baku 2015 marked a historic moment for the European Olympic Movement. The first European Games was a bold and ambitious project that came to life thanks to the incredible efforts of the Azerbaijani people and their leadership. I still vividly remember the energy, the pride and the passion that filled every venue, every street, and every celebration.
“More than 5,000 athletes from across Europe came together, not only to compete, but to build friendships and memories that would last a lifetime. It showed the world what Europe could achieve with unity and vision.”
President Capralos also praised the organisers of Baku 2015 for ensuring the European Games began in outstanding fashion, a standard that has since been maintained at Minsk 2019 and Kraków-Małopolska 2023.
“Ten years later, the legacy of Baku continues to inspire — it raised the bar for all future events and proved that even the most ambitious dreams can become reality with courage and determination,” President Capralos added.
“To our friends in Azerbaijan: congratulations on this Anniversary. Thank you for believing in the power of sport and for leaving a mark on Olympic history that we will never forget.”
To mark the 10th Anniversary, the Azerbaijan NOC has launched a continent-wide competition called Baku 2015 – AI & Sport Innovation Contest, inviting young creators to use Artificial Intelligence to design original graphics or videos that reflect the spirit and legacy of Baku 2015.
The competition is open for one month until 12 July, and the winner will receive a special three-day trip to Baku, including guided tours of European Games venues and the city’s top attractions.
Since the inaugural edition, the European Games have developed into Europe’s premier multi-sport event, bringing together the continent’s best athletes. At Kraków-Małopolska 2023, there were more than 100 qualification opportunities for the following year’s Olympic Games in Paris.
The European Games have additionally developed a strong reputation for innovation, including the highly popular clipping feature at Kraków-Małopolska 2023 which allowed athletes to download and share personalised highlight clips.
As the EOC marks this important Anniversary, it looks forward with great excitement to the next edition of the European Games in Istanbul in 2027.
Please note that all contest submissions must be sent to the following email address: info@olympic.az.
Watch the message from EOC President on the occasion of the Baku 2015 European Games 10th Anniversary here.
