Azerbaijan will host the inaugural European Games in June.
Reinventing a country —
Azerbaijan will host the inaugural European Games in June.
The capital of Azerbaijan, Baku is a modern, busy city of two million people, perched on the Caspian coast. It will also host the inaugural a Formula One grand prix in 2016.
Welcome to Baku —
The capital of Azerbaijan, Baku is a modern, busy city of two million people, perched on the Caspian coast. It will also host the inaugural a Formula One grand prix in 2016.
Stephane de SakutinAFP/Getty Images
The flag of Azerbaijan blows in the wind above the country's capital city of Baku.
The flag of Azerbaijan blows in the wind above the country's capital city of Baku.
AFP/Getty Images
Flame Towers is the tallest skyscraper in Azerbaijan. The towers are completely covered with LED screens displaying the movement of fire and creating the effect of giant torches. The design was inspired by Azerbaijan's history as a land of fire, due to its rich deposits of natural gas.
Flame Towers —
Flame Towers is the tallest skyscraper in Azerbaijan. The towers are completely covered with LED screens displaying the movement of fire and creating the effect of giant torches. The design was inspired by Azerbaijan's history as a land of fire, due to its rich deposits of natural gas.
Birgitte Riber Hald
Azerbaijan wants to use events like the European Games to rub shoulders with the world's most influential people. Here is International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach, left, with a top Azeri sports official in late 2014.
Top table —
Azerbaijan wants to use events like the European Games to rub shoulders with the world's most influential people. Here is International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach, left, with a top Azeri sports official in late 2014.
Tofik Babyev/AFP/Getty Images
Azerbaijan sports officials boast that scores of new Olympic sports facilities have been opened in the past 15 years, including new European Games venues.
New venues —
Azerbaijan sports officials boast that scores of new Olympic sports facilities have been opened in the past 15 years, including new European Games venues.
Tofik Babayev/AFP/Getty Images
Money isn't just being invested in sport. The Heydar Aliyev Center's fluid forms are a contrast to the rigid and monumental architecture one normally finds in Baku. President Ilham Aliyev, who officially opened the building on May 10, 2012, named the building after his late father, Heydar Aliyev, who was also a president of Azerbaijan. Architect: Zaha Hadid Architects
Heydar Aliyev Center —
Money isn't just being invested in sport. The Heydar Aliyev Center's fluid forms are a contrast to the rigid and monumental architecture one normally finds in Baku. President Ilham Aliyev, who officially opened the building on May 10, 2012, named the building after his late father, Heydar Aliyev, who was also a president of Azerbaijan. Architect: Zaha Hadid Architects
Eugene Leung/Flickr
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliev has been the country's leader since 2003.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliev has been the country's leader since 2003.
AFP/Getty Images/File
Much of Azerbaijan's wealth is derived from oil and, increasingly, gas. A major oil pipeline to European markets opened in 2006.
Oil rich —
Much of Azerbaijan's wealth is derived from oil and, increasingly, gas. A major oil pipeline to European markets opened in 2006.
CNN
Azerbaijan, on the western edge of the Caspian Sea, has a population of around 10 million people. It declared independence from the Soviet Union in August 1991.
Caspian Sea citizens —
Azerbaijan, on the western edge of the Caspian Sea, has a population of around 10 million people. It declared independence from the Soviet Union in August 1991.
CNN
European Games CEO Simon Clegg told CNN that Azerbaijan's president Ilham Aliyev "realizes how sport can be used to deliver political objectives, whatever those political objectives are." Here a masked woman holds an Azerbaijani flag during a spring welcome festival in Baku in 2013.
European Games CEO Simon Clegg told CNN that Azerbaijan's president Ilham Aliyev "realizes how sport can be used to deliver political objectives, whatever those political objectives are." Here a masked woman holds an Azerbaijani flag during a spring welcome festival in Baku in 2013.
TOFIK BABAYEV/AFP/Getty Images/file
One Azeri journalist told us you have to be a "maniac" to openly demonstrate in Azerbaijan -- yet protests do take place. These opposition supporters campaigned on the streets in April 2015.
Protest —
One Azeri journalist told us you have to be a "maniac" to openly demonstrate in Azerbaijan -- yet protests do take place. These opposition supporters campaigned on the streets in April 2015.
Tofik Babayev/AFP/Getty Images
Azad Rahimov oversees Azerbaijan's ministry of youth and sports. For the first time, he spoke to CNN about allegations of human rights abuses in his country.
On the record —
Azad Rahimov oversees Azerbaijan's ministry of youth and sports. For the first time, he spoke to CNN about allegations of human rights abuses in his country.
CNN
Athletes in Azerbaijan are quick to promote their government's actions, saying times for the country's sporting youth have never been better.
New heights —
Athletes in Azerbaijan are quick to promote their government's actions, saying times for the country's sporting youth have never been better.
CNN
Wrestling has long been key to Azerbaijan's sporting pedigree. Of the country's six Olympic gold medals to date, four have come in freestyle wrestling.
On the mat —
Wrestling has long been key to Azerbaijan's sporting pedigree. Of the country's six Olympic gold medals to date, four have come in freestyle wrestling.
CNN
Gymnastics has also been a focus for Azerbaijan. Already a contender in rhythmic gymnastics, in recent years it has recruited a number of strong artistic athletes from other nations.
Spotlight —
Gymnastics has also been a focus for Azerbaijan. Already a contender in rhythmic gymnastics, in recent years it has recruited a number of strong artistic athletes from other nations.
Tofik Babayev/AFP/Getty Images
Marina Durunda, right, is an example of an imported gymnastics talent. Born in Ukraine, she grew up in Cyprus -- and won European bronze in the ribbon event this year competing for her adopted Azerbaijan.
New talent —
Marina Durunda, right, is an example of an imported gymnastics talent. Born in Ukraine, she grew up in Cyprus -- and won European bronze in the ribbon event this year competing for her adopted Azerbaijan.
Maxim Malinovsky/AFP/Getty Images
During CNN's trip to Baku, even foreign rhythmic gymnasts conceded nothing compares to Azerbaijan's facilities. One New Zealand gymnast said only rugby players can expect facilities like these back home.
Ribbon resources —
During CNN's trip to Baku, even foreign rhythmic gymnasts conceded nothing compares to Azerbaijan's facilities. One New Zealand gymnast said only rugby players can expect facilities like these back home.
CNN
This statue depicts Tofiq Bahramov, the linesman made famous by his decision to rule Geoff Hurst's strike had crossed the line in the 1966 World Cup Final. In 2011, Hurst and former West Germany goalkeeper Hans Tilkowski paid tribute to Bahramov as Azerbaijan celebrated 100 years of football.
Crossing the line —
This statue depicts Tofiq Bahramov, the linesman made famous by his decision to rule Geoff Hurst's strike had crossed the line in the 1966 World Cup Final. In 2011, Hurst and former West Germany goalkeeper Hans Tilkowski paid tribute to Bahramov as Azerbaijan celebrated 100 years of football.
Stu Forster/Getty Images
Later in life, Bahramov -- who died in 1993 -- had a stadium in Baku named after him. It will host archery at the European Games.
Later in life, Bahramov -- who died in 1993 -- had a stadium in Baku named after him. It will host archery at the European Games.
Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images/file
Spanish club Atletico Madrid has a shirt sponsorship deal with the Azerbaijan tourism industry.
Spanish club Atletico Madrid has a shirt sponsorship deal with the Azerbaijan tourism industry.
Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images/file
But tradition is also important to Azerbaijan. Here a Kyrgyz stuntman performing during the first World Nomad Games in the Kyrchin (Semenovskoe) gorge, some 300 km from Bishkek. Teams of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Mongolia and Tajikistan take part in the games.
World Nomad Games —
But tradition is also important to Azerbaijan. Here a Kyrgyz stuntman performing during the first World Nomad Games in the Kyrchin (Semenovskoe) gorge, some 300 km from Bishkek. Teams of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Mongolia and Tajikistan take part in the games.
VYACHESLAV OSELEDKO/AFP/Getty Images