Baku is hoping to be given Candidate City status when the ruling Executive Committee of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) meets here tomorrow to analyse the bids, which also include Doha, Istanbul, Madrid and Tokyo.

Azerbaijan only gained independence in 1995 but is developing at breakneck speed thanks to its reserve of gas and natural oil. 

But it views sport as a chance to help build the nation's brand.

"This first applicant phase shows the huge opportunity that the Olympic Movement offers for the development of the country," Rahimov told insidethegames here at the SportAccord Convention.

He believes that if the IOC Executive Board puts Baku through to the shorlist then the development plan would be accelerated, including helping build an underground system from the airport to the city centre.

"We want to turn our ideas into reality and we believe that the Olympics can help us do that," said Rahimov.

Other plans include making the Athletes' Village available to young families after the Games.



"I think our Olympic bid has helped change our vision a lot and develop our programme," said Rahimov (pictured above right). 

This is Baku's second consecutive Olympic bid.

Four years ago they were eliminated at this stage and no-one was surprised.

On this occasion they have adopted a far more professional approach, including hiring some of the best known consutlants and top firms in the Olympic Movement. 

Azerbaijan is also increasingly staging major events, including this Saturday (May 26) the Eurovision Song Contest, possibly the biggest international gathering in the country's short history, with 42 countries taking part.

"This part of the world is becoming far better known," said Rahimov.

"People are getting the message that we are not in the middle of the nowhere and that we can organise events."

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