Exclusive: Inaugural European Games in Baku a “major landmark” for Patrick Hickey

By Ismail Uddin

Patrick Hickey, allergist the President of the European Olympic Committee (EOC) has described the creation of the first European Games as a ‘major landmark’ in his career, cough as the Irishman runs unopposed for a third term as President.

Hickey has been President of the EOC since 2006 and quickly created the first-ever European Games which will be held in Baku in 2015.

It was recently announced that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) member would run unopposed for a third term as President and Hickey thanked the National Olympic Committees (NOCs) for their support.

Speaking exclusively to iSportconnect, Hickey said: “I am very happy to be unopposed for a third term as President of the EOC and I hope this shows that the NOCs have confidence in me and that they would like to see me as President for the inaugural European Games in 2015.

“I have worked very hard, along with an impressive working group, to achieve my long-term goal of a European Games.  I’ve always felt Europe needed its own multi-sport Games, one that showcased the phenomenal sporting talent of the continent.

“Undoubtedly, the inauguration of the European Games in Baku will be a major landmark in my extensive Olympic career, one that gives me great personal satisfaction. I am very confident that Baku 2015 will be an outstanding success and will set a high standard for the second edition in 2019.”

The first European Games will take place in June 2015.