Azernews.Az

By Amina Nazarli

For many, success in life is “a victory in sports” and for those, being prepared and being the best that you could be is the ultimate goal.

Sports, serving as a best way for ensuring good health and a fine physique, is also an honor both for an individual and a country. In Azerbaijan, people love their athletes and rejoice in their success.

Azerbaijan, known as one of the sports centers of the world, will mark the Day of Physical Culture and Sports on March 5.

Over the past decade, Azerbaijan, thanks to its fastest growing economy, was able to ensure progress in all areas of life, including sports. The country actively participated in the international sporting movement, earning great respect in this area.

Azerbaijan has successfully hosted over 300 international sports events, including European and world championships, which increased the international Olympic family`s confidence in the country.

Azerbaijan was entrusted to host FIFA Under-17 women`s world championship in 2012 and the inaugural European Games in 2015, which attracted thousands of tourists to the country.

The European Games have gone down in history and left a great legacy of new venues, infrastructure and inspiration for the country’s youth. Azerbaijan’s national team finished second among 50 Olympic teams, winning 56 medals, including 21 gold ones.

Also, FIDE granted holding of World Cup 2015 and 2016 Chess Olympiad to Baku, while the country now actively prepares for the Formula 1 European Grand Prix auto race.

This year Baku welcomed a caravan of competitors of 2016 Olympic year’s first World Cup series in Artistic Gymnastics on February 19-21, which will be followed by World Cup series in Trampoline Gymnastics on March 5-6.

2016 also promises to be an unforgettable sporting year for football fans in Azerbaijan, which will welcome 2016 UEFA European Under-17 Championship finals. 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games will also be the great event hosted by the country.

Furthermore, Azerbaijan was able to develop many sports beginning from wrestling to the gymnastics, thus giving the world unforgettable names such as karate fighter Rafael Agayev, kickboxer Zabit Samadov, judo fighter Elnur Mammadli, wrestler Farid Mansurov, gymnast Jale Piriyeva and hundreds more.

The number of medals won by the national athletes at international competitions and championships is growing every year.

2015 can truly be called “sports year” for Azerbaijan, as the national sportsmen have showed brilliant performances in both domestic and international competitions, winning 823 medals, compared to 789 hauls in 2014.

Today modern sporting complexes operate not only in Baku, but also in almost all regions of the homeland, which have played a significant role in the development of sports in the regions. There were established 41 Olympic Centers in the regions, while construction of 10 more centers is underway.

Now, the national athletes are preparing for the most important competition of 2016-- Rio Summer Olympics in Brazil. Azerbaijan has already secured 11 qualifications in wrestling, two in gymnastics, four in rowing and 11 licenses in Paralympics sports, three in boxing, one in taekwondo and etc.

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Amina Nazarli is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli

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