The Baku 2015 Flame today toured nine of the inaugural European Games’ 18 venues, as part of the Baku leg of the Journey of the Flame.

Having already visited the other 60 regions of the country, the Baku 2015 Flame is now touring the capital, involving the city’s residents in the excitement of the Games and showcasing the best of Baku.

The Baku 2015 Flame today started at the BMX Velopark, and was carried by torchbearer Balash Kasumov, Winner of the Intellectual Games as it continued to the Baku Aquatics Centre carried by Tatayana Tikitina member of the Azerbaijani synchronised team, the Basketball Arena carried by Elkhan Aliyev a basketball veteran, Mountain Bike Velopark carried by Seymor Orujov Head of New Azerbaijan Youth, Bilgah Beach carried by Tahir Imanov an actor, Heydar Aliyev Arena carried by Maria Stadnik a prominent Azerbaijani wrestler, National Gymnastics Arena carried by Marina Durunda a gymnast and Baku2015 ambassador, Tofiq Bahramov Stadium carried by Shahin Seyidzade Chair of the National Council, and finally the Crystal Hall carried by Mahammadrasul Majidov boxing bronze medallist at London 2012.

Located in four main clusters across the city, Baku 2015’s twelve permanent and six temporary sports venues stand ready for the inaugural European Games. Among the state-of-the-art facilities is the stunning new Olympic Stadium, which will feature the Opening and Closing Ceremonies and Athletics events, and is set to become the home of the Azerbaijani national football team after the Games.

Of the twelve venues to remain as part of the Games’ legacy for the city at the end of Baku 2015 competitions, five are new; the National Gymnastics Arena, the BMX Velopark, Baku Aquatics Centre, Baku Shooting Centre and the Olympic Stadium.

The six temporary venues now complete are the Water Polo Arena, Beach Arena, Basketball Arena, Mountain Bike Velopark, Triathlon and Cycling venues. Elsewhere, Games facilities include 10 training and 32 non-competition venues.

Mr Azad Rahimov, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Youth and Sport and Chief Executive Officer of Baku 2015, said: “One of the important aspects of the first European Games is the great legacy that the event will leave our host city. Today’s leg of the Journey of the Flame visited some of the newly built venues as well as a number of the refurbished ones, all of which will provide future generations with access to state-of-the-art facilities, as well as promoting the development of elite-level sport in Azerbaijan.”