On June 12th, Azerbaijan brings up the curtain on the first-ever European Games when its capital, Baku, will welcome some 6,000 athletes to this inaugural sporting festival.
Euro vision —
On June 12th, Azerbaijan brings up the curtain on the first-ever European Games when its capital, Baku, will welcome some 6,000 athletes to this inaugural sporting festival.
AFP/Getty Images
The Games, which will take place every four years, were brought into being at a vote by members of the European Olympic Committee (EOC) in 2012 and announced at a meeting of the body's General Assembly in Rome that December.
Let the Games begin —
The Games, which will take place every four years, were brought into being at a vote by members of the European Olympic Committee (EOC) in 2012 and announced at a meeting of the body's General Assembly in Rome that December.
A masked woman holds an Azerbaijani flag during a spring welcome festival in Baku.
Welcoming gesture —
A masked woman holds an Azerbaijani flag during a spring welcome festival in Baku.
TOFIK BABAYEV/AFP/Getty Images/file
Azerbaijani athletes prepare for their moment in the spotlight at the European Games.
Center stage —
Azerbaijani athletes prepare for their moment in the spotlight at the European Games.
Azerbaijan sports officials say scores of new Olympic sports facilities have been opened in the past 15 years, including new European Games venues.
Homes of sport —
Azerbaijan sports officials say scores of new Olympic sports facilities have been opened in the past 15 years, including new European Games venues.
Tofik Babayev/AFP/Getty Images
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.
New recruits —
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
Foreign rhythmic gymnasts have told CNN nothing compares to Azerbaijan's facilities. One New Zealand gymnast said only rugby players could expect facilities like these back home.
Ribbon development —
Foreign rhythmic gymnasts have told CNN nothing compares to Azerbaijan's facilities. One New Zealand gymnast said only rugby players could expect facilities like these back home.
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.
Show of muscle —
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
Athletes in Azerbaijan are quick to promote their government's actions, saying times for the country's sporting youth have never been better.
Hitting the 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
Azad Rahimov is the person who oversees Azerbaijan's ministry of youth and sports.
The man in charge —
Azad Rahimov is the person who oversees Azerbaijan's ministry of youth and sports.
CNN
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
The capital of Azerbaijan, Baku is a busy city perched on the Caspian coast. It will also host a Formula One grand prix in 2016.
Baku streets —
The capital of Azerbaijan, Baku is a busy city perched on the Caspian coast. It will also host a Formula One grand prix in 2016.
Stephane de SakutinAFP/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.
Towering ambition —
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