"As an organisation and a team we are at a very important milestone as we continue to host a number of test events in preparation for next summer.

"The recent praise we received from European Athletics for the success of our first test event was incredibly pleasing and we will build on this to ensure we deliver a truly memorable European Games."

The Chef de Missions are staying in a hotel that is part of the Flame Towers ©Fairmont Hotel

Patrick Hickey, President of the European Olympic Committees (EOC) who is the architect of these Games, is also due here to be guest of honour at the One To Year To Go celebrations.

"This is an important milestone for Baku 2015 and for the European Games product: the first ever Chefs de Mission seminar, and our greatest opportunity yet to connect with the NOCs of Europe," he said.

"We are starting from a blank canvas with Baku 2015.

"We have the chance to be creative and innovative, and to deliver a brand new experience for the NOCs and their teams.

"I am confident these meetings will strengthen the bond between the NOCs of Europe and the European Games."

The Chefs de Mission will have the opportunity to discuss the level of services being prepared by Baku 2015 for their athletes, tour the competition venues and visit the Athletes Village that will be in full operations mode as it is hosting the athletes attending the European Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships here his week.

The Chefs de Mission will also have individual meetings with the Baku 2015 NOC services team to ensure any particular concerns they may have are acknowledged and addressed.

Baku 2015 chief operating officer Simon Clegg hailed the arrival of the Chef de Missions in the Azerbaijani capital as an important moment in the European Games preparations ©Baku 2015

"We are very proud to be hosting the Chefs de Mission from all over Europe as we continue the countdown to the Games," said Simon Clegg, chief operating officer of Baku 2015, who himself was a Chef de Mission for Britain at six Olympic Games.

"We have made great progress in recent months and are keen to assist the Chefs as they prepare their teams and their athletes as best as possible for the Games next summer.

"It has always been of one of our missions to ensure that the Games are fully focused on athletes' needs and so it is vital for us to be able to demonstrate to the Chefs de Mission our level of commitment and understand how we can help them further in their preparation."

Spyros Capralos, President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, who is chairman of the EOC Coordination Commission for Baku 2015, is confident the visit of the Chef de Missions will be a success.

"We are delighted to be back in the beautiful city of Baku with some of the European Games' most important stakeholders: the NOCs of Europe," he said.

"We want these sessions to be interactive discussions, because we have a huge amount of knowledge and experience here with us this week.

"We encourage the delegates to ask questions, offer insights and challenge Baku 2015 to deliver the best possible service to the NOCs.

"The EOC is looking forward to a highly productive series of meetings."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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