(MAR 23) Tickets for all
sessions of the inaugural European Games went on sale earlier
this week online and in Baku.
Considering the strength of boxing in Europe, tickets are by
Olympic or World championship standards, ‘very reasonable’ for
the overwhelming majority of the bouts inc finals.
Here on WBAN we have previously
brought you news of the Games – organised by the European
Olympic Committee (EOC) in conjunction with the Amateur Boxing
Association (AIBA) - so today some more details to help you plan
your trip to Azerbaijan – or watch it on TV or Live Streaming in
many parts of the world and not just Europe.
Over 6,000 athletes from the 50 National Olympic Committees of
Europe will compete in 20 sports over 17 consecutive days at
Baku 2015. The inaugural games will consist of 16 Olympic
sports, and four non-Olympic sports.
Baku 2015 European Games has confirmed that Boxing and Wrestling
at next summer’s event will offer qualification opportunities
for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Men’s boxing only though no
direct qualification it seems for the women warriors. At least
there are five women’s weights in Baku unlike the 3 at the
Olympics first in London 2012 and now despite encouraging words
from the AIBA at London Games, still only 3 weights in Rio 2016.
Back to Baku 2015 though and some comments we have received from
the organisers, European Olympic Committee.
Mr Patrick Hickey, President of the European Olympic Committees,
said: “I am delighted to see that the sports programme at Baku
2015 continues to move in the right direction with Boxing and
Wrestling now confirmed as part of their road to Rio 2016.
“Part of the European Olympic Committees’ vision for the
European Games was to create an elite competition that offered
athletes increased opportunities to test themselves at the very
highest level, so we are very pleased that Baku 2015 is
delivering exactly that.”
Mr Simon Clegg, Baku 2015 Chief Operating Officer, said: “The
fact that so many international sports federations are including
the inaugural European Games as part of their Olympic Games
qualification process is testament to what a top quality event
we will have here in Azerbaijan.
“The European Olympic Committees and President Patrick Hickey
have ensured their vision of a major multi-sport event for the
entire continent will be one of great value that will see
Europe’s finest athletes improve their chances of competing
successfully at future Olympic Games.”
International Sports Broadcasting (ISB) will provide in excess
of 1,200 hours of coverage (all sports included) from Baku and
to many continents including the Americas.
Pat Hickey again: "This is very positive news, not only for the
inaugural European Games in Baku in 2015 but also for the
long-term sustainability of the European Games," EOC President
Patrick Hickey said. "It shows that the European Games is a
viable product that can command significant TV audiences, in
Europe and around the world. In turn, this will help attract
serious commercial partners for future editions.
"Above all else, I am pleased that elite athletes in Europe will
have an appropriate broadcast platform from which to showcase
their talents," Hickey added.
"We have been very fortunate to broadcast many of the world's
greatest events and have also had the unique opportunity to help
events grow in stature," IBS chief Romero said. "We firmly
believe that the European Games will be one of the world's next
great sporting spectacles. We are honored to be chosen to
transmit these inaugural Games to Europe and the rest of the
world and to partner with Baku to showcase its dynamic and
thriving culture."
There will be 15 medal events (in Boxing) in Baku, 10 men, 5
women as follows:
Women:
FlyWeight (51kg)
Bantam Weight(54kg)
Light Weight (60kg)
Light Welter (64kg)
Middle Weight (75kg)
Men:
Light Fly Weight (49kg)
Fly Weight (52kg)
Bantam Weight (56kg)
Light Weight (60kg)
Light Welter (64kg)
Welter Weight (69kg) -
Middle Weight (75kg) -
Light Heavy Weight (81kg) -
Heavy Weight (91kg) -
Super Heavy Weight (+91kg)
Just to give you an overview of who is likely to compete,
subject to being nominated by their National Federation and if
no injuries or illness between now and opening ceremony, we take
a look at some of the competitors likely to be in action at the
Crystal Halls in Baku come June.
Many are likely to be World or Olympic champions like England’s
Nicola Adams and Ireland’s 5 time World champion and Olympic
Gold medallist Katie Taylor.
The Bray woman has already been chosen by the Irish Amateur
Boxing Association (IABA) together with Ceire Smith from Cavan
BC and Michaela Walsh of the Holy Family club in Belfast. No
place though for Callan’s very talented Clare Grace, a selection
decision not universally popular in Ireland.
Katie Taylor who claimed 60kg Gold at the London 2012 Olympic
Games is the current European and World Champion in the 60kg
weight division. Her medal haul at major competitions stands at
17 gold medals, including her Olympic title, five consecutive
World Championships, six consecutive European Championships, and
five European Union Championships, making her the most decorated
athlete in the history of women’s Boxing.
No news from the ABA of England/Boxing England as to when the
English team will be announced. One might normally expect
Olympians Nicola Adams, Natasha Jonas and Savannah Marshall to
be in that strong team but there will be others in contention
like Lisa Whiteside, Chantelle Cameron, Stacey Copeland and
Sandy Ryan to name but four.
Whiteside and Ryan both took silver at the 2014 World’s in Jeju,
a magnificent achievement for both in their first major
International championships.
A major influence could be the outcome of this year’s English
ABA championships in Liverpool 24/26 April, a combined event
which will feature 10 weight categories each for males and
females. A big headache then for the selectors especially as
there has been some fitness doubts concerning Adams and Jonas.
Russia as always will be a key player in both male and female
AIBA tournaments they too will have some selection headaches to
face so no guarantees that for example Sofya Ochigava will be an
‘automatic choice’ to renew her great rivalry with Ireland’s
Taylor at 60kg.
The Russians may take the opportunity of introducing some of
their ‘younger’ brigade such as AIBA World champion (at 64kg)
Anastasia Beliakova. Others striving for a place in the power
house Russian squad will include Saina Sagataeva (51kg), Elena
Savelyeva (54kg), Zinaida Dobrynina (57kg), Saadat Abdulaeva
(69kg), Iaroslava Iakushina (75kg), Svetlana Kosova (81kg) and
Zenfira Magomedalieva (81kg+). One can understand the dilemma
faced by Russian selectors as only five weights and with their
even stronger men’s team, thus only 3 women likely to be
selected for Baku.
Though not all of the above will want to go to Baku, some who do
may also face the possibility of having to put on or lose weight
even to compete if the Russians decide to hold Baku trials.
Other countries expected to excel in the women’s boxing include
Poland, Hungary and especially Italy and Bulgaria, a true sign
that women’s boxing is well on it way to matching anything the
Men can offer, IF only the AIBA would ‘get a move on’ and truly
recognise fully the strengths of the female boxers in their own
Association .Are you listening Dr Ching-Kuo Wu and Ho Kim? After
all it was the women’s boxing at London 2012 that stole the
limelight and the standard of competition is much improved now
from then.
Noucha Fontijn (75kg) the AIBA current World no.3, has already
been chosen by the Dutch Federation as their only female
(boxing) representative at the Games whilst Turkey have named
one female boxer thus far, at 60lg lightweight, where Gamtze
Baºar will be one of the hopefuls trying to stop Taylor from
adding to her already enormous medal haul.
"The European Games are a good rehearsal ahead of the Rio
Olympics. The conclusions we get in Baku will show us where we
are on the road to Rio," said Mr. Eyüp Gözgeç, the President of
the Turkish Boxing Federation. The European Games are a major
goal for the entire Turkish boxing community.Our athletes, our
coaches and our federation are working very hard day and night
for this."
France too will have a strong team including Estelle Mosselly at
60kg lightweight another of Taylor’s challengers. The two have
frequently fought hard battles in past few years though with the
Irish woman always emerging victorious in the end. Could this be
Mosselly’s year?
Assuming they nominated. Finland’s Mira Potkonen, Sweden’s Ida
Lundblad and Patricia Berghult would be hoping to medal in Baku,
and so too of course Azerbaijan’s own Yana Allekseevna who took
60 kg silver at the 2014 AIBA World’s in Jeju,losing only in the
final to the aforementioned Taylor. 40-36, 39-37,39-37 being the
final decision of the judges.
As well as competing in Baku 2015, Irish Olympic boxing Gold
medallist Katie Taylor has already been named as an
international Athlete Ambassador for Baku 2015, alongside other
well-known European sporting figures such as British taekwondo
athlete Jade Jones, French rhythmic gymnast Kseniya Moustafaeva
and Denmark’s canoe sprinter René Holten Poulsen. Other
Ambassadors for the Games will be announced later.
Mr. Pat Hickey, President of the European Olympic Committees and
Olympic Council of Ireland President, said:
“The Irish Delegation to the Baku 2015 European Games is an
extremely strong one. We are delighted that some 62 of our best
athletes will get the chance to inspire future athletes and
Irish Olympians across the 17 days of competition.
While we are delighted that Katie Taylor will be representing
Ireland at the Games, we are also honoured that she has been
appointed as an Athlete Ambassador for Baku 2015. As one of the
world’s leading competitors in any sport, you couldn’t ask for a
better ambassador for the first ever European Games.”
Mr Pierce O’Callaghan, Baku 2015 Director of Sport, said: “The
European Federations have completely embraced the vision of the
European Games and it is a reflection of the world-class
competition we will have at Baku 2015 that 11 of the 16 Olympic
sports on our programme now include qualification opportunities
for the next Olympic Games.
Katie Taylor, Team Ireland Boxer and International Athlete
Ambassador for Baku 2015, said:
“Baku 2015 will be great for European sport and I am delighted
to be involved both as an Athlete Ambassador and as a
competitor. I will be doing my best to raise the Games’ profile
and get the word out to as many people as possible.”
The first ever European Games in Baku will take part in 18
competition venues across Azerbaijan, including five ‘state of
the art’ new stadiums, seven existing venues that are being
upgraded and six temporary arenas. The newly built venues will
host Gymnastics, BMX, Aquatics and Shooting. A new 68,000 seat,
purpose-built stadium has also been erected for Athletics and
for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the games. Baku was
awarded the Games by the European Olympic Committees (EOC) in
December 2012 and The Baku European Games Operations Committee (BEGOC)
will organise and run the Games in cooperation with the EOC.
All you need to know for Baku:
How many tickets will be available for sale?
Approximately 600,000 tickets across more than 280 sessions for
the Baku 2015 European Games will be available for public sale.
What is a session?
A session is defined as an individual sporting event, or group
of individual sporting events, held in close timing to each
other at one specific venue, whereby one ticket per person is
sold to cover attendance.
Will any FREE tickets be available?
There will be two types of tickets: with value (all regular
tickets with different price levels depending on the session and
venue) and complimentary tickets (free of charge) for: children
under 16 years of age for specific venues/sessions; and
spectators with accessible needs (plus their companion) for
specific venues/sessions.
There will be also discounted prices for the Heydar Aliyev Arena
and National Gymnastics Arena for children under 16 years of age
and spectators with accessible needs and their companion.
Complimentary tickets for children or spectators with accessible
needs will be available only at City Ticket Outlets and during
the Games at Venue Box Offices.
Will there be any free sport events?
No, there will be no ‘entirely’ free sport events but EOC
encourages spectators without tickets to attend along the
courses of the following sport sessions: Cycling – Road (Women’s
and Men’s Time Trial) and Triathlon (Running Stage). Start and
Finish standing area tickets for these sessions will be
available for sale.
Buying Tickets:
When, where and how can I buy tickets?
BEGOC/EOC will release Baku 2015 Games tickets for public sale
on 20 March 2015 on a first-come, first-served basis, through
their official Baku 2015 Ticket Sales web page.
They will offer a number of official ticket sales channels
through which you can purchase tickets for the Games. City
Ticket Outlets will open in April 2015 and they will have Venue
Ticket Box Offices during the Games.
Will any discount tickets be available?
Yes. There will be discounted prices for the Heydar Aliyev Arena
and the National Gymnastics Arena for children between 2 and 16
years of age and spectators with accessible needs and their
companion. Children under the age of two years (born after or on
28.06.2013) will not require a ticket. The parent or guardian
must ensure that the child does not occupy a seat within the
venue and that the child is seated on their lap at all times.
IF you live outside Azerbaijan. Can you still buy tickets?
Yes! Organisers will provide official sales channels for
purchasing Games tickets to anyone, anywhere. On 20 March 2015,
tickets for the Baku 2015 European Games will go on sale to the
general public. You will be able to buy tickets on-line
through,the Baku 2015 official Ticket Sales web page at
www.baku2015.com/tickets
How does one purchase tickets for children below the age of 16?
For most of the sport events except for those at the National
Gymnastic Arena (Gymnastics sessions) and the Heydar Aliyev
Arena (Judo, Wrestling and Sambo), there will be complimentary
tickets for children between age 2 – 16 years of age. You do not
need to book them in advance. They will be available for pick up
at any City Ticket Outlets or Venue Box Office. A birth
certificate will be required for complimentary ticket
collection. The Baku 2015 ticketing team will ensure a certain
number of tickets will be available for complimentary ticket
collection.
For Gymnastics sessions, Judo, Wrestling and Sambo sessions,
children’s tickets (2-16 years of age) will be available for
purchase on the Baku 2015 Ticket Sales web page or at any City
Ticket Outlet or Venue Box Office. A birth certificate will be
also required for the collection of children’s tickets.
For Ceremonies, there will be no special tickets for children.
There are no age restrictions for attendance at the Ceremonies
but due to the loud music and sound organisers highly recommend
children under the age of seven do not attend.
Please note that Ticket Holders under the age of sixteen (16)
can only attend a Session when accompanied by an adult companion
Ticket Holder (over the age of eighteen) who is in possession of
a Ticket and a valid ID in order to access the venue.
Can I buy tickets on behalf of someone else?
Yes, you can if you are living in Azerbaijan and do not require
a visa. All international spectators visiting Azerbaijan for the
Baku 2015 European Games will be able to apply for a simplified
visa procedure and be issued with a single entry visa valid 30
days. Visas will be issued upon arrival at international
airports of the Republic of Azerbaijan, by presenting tickets or
a ticket purchase confirmation together with the ticket holder’s
passport details.
For this reason they recommend all international spectators
purchase tickets through the Baku 2015 Ticket Sales web page in
order to obtain the ticket purchase confirmation and to be able
to receive a visa at any international airport of Azerbaijan.
However, if you are an international spectator traveling with
your family or with a group, one person can buy tickets for all
family or group members and list them as ticket holders. In that
case all family or group members will be issued with a visa upon
arrival at the airport on production of a ticket purchase
confirmation, but only if they are listed on it. To learn more
about the 30 day single entry simplified visa procedure, please
click on the Visa tab on www.baku2015.com
