Aliyeva was presented the award at the 54th Session of the IOA in the Greek capital by Isidoros Kouvelos, its President, in recognition of her contribution to promoting Olympic values,

Spyros Capralos, President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee and head of the Coordination Commission for Baku 2015, praised Aliyeva's role in trying to help ensure that the inaugural European Games are a success.

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach and the Greek Culture and Sports Minister Konstantinos Tasoulas were among those who congratulated Aliyeva on her award. 

Azerbaijan's First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva told the specially invited audience in the shadow of the Acropolis in Athens told the preparations for Baku 2015 ©Mehriban Aliyeva

"I'm greatly privileged to have been awarded a prize by the International Olympic Committee (sic) and received this influential award on the ancient Greek soil," Aliyeva told the specially invited audience.

"We highly appreciate the achievements reached by the Olympic Academy in Azerbaijan towards preserving, developing and worldwide dissemination of the Olympic values.

"Together, we have developed an education program for the youth of Azerbaijan, as well as officials having relationship with sport, and for the European youth.

"We have been working in partnership to provide support to Baku-2015 Organizing Committee.

"Azerbaijan is an active member of the international Olympic Movement.

"Development of sports, promotion of the Olympic values and ideals are among priority directions in our country's policy.

"Ever since the regaining of independence, we have always felt the support of the International Olympic Committee towards development of sport in our country.

"I would like to personally thank President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach for supporting our initiatives.

"As an independent country, Azerbaijan has been participating in Olympic Games for less than 20 years, and we take pride in successes of our sportsmen that win more and more medals as years pass.

"In the last Summer Olympic Games [at London 2012], our sportsmen won 10 medals, two out of which were gold.

"Azerbaijan was the 30th among the participants of the Summer Olympic Games  by the number of medals, and 15th among the European countries.

"We have been investing a significant amount of money in the development of the sports infrastructure.

"During the last 10 years, over 50 state-of-the-art Olympic centres were built in the country.

"Achievements of our sportsmen, modern sports infrastructure, strong state support to sportsmen, development of sports and promotion of sports ideals, as well as our country's rapid development were among the principal factors that the European Olympic Committee took a decision to hold the first European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan's capital, in 2015.

"We thank the European Olympic Committee for this historic decision.

"Although the Olympic Games are believed to originate from Europe, no European Games had ever been held earlier.

"Organisation of the European Games is a matter of national pride and responsibility for us.

"I can say that this decision has been strongly supported by the people of Azerbaijan.

"As the head of the Organising Committee of the First European Games-2015, I can assure you that we have been doing our best to ensure that the European Games are held at the highest level, and perfect conditions are created for sportsmen and members of delegations, guests and local residents.

"I'm sure the Games will be held in an environment of friendship and solidarity."

Among those to congratulate Mehriban Aliyeva on receiving the Olympic Excellence award was International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach (left) ©Mehriban Aliyeva