Helios Partners To Join Forces With Baku 2020 Bid Organisers

Baku’s bid for the 2020 Olympic Games received a major boost as leading bid consultant Helios Partners, lead by President Terence Burns, joined Azerbaijan’s campaign.

Helios had been signed by Rome’s bid for the Games – but that organization disbanded in February when it failed to receive a crucial endorsement by Italy’s federal government amidst ongoing austerity measures.

Last year Burns and Helios helped steer PyeongChang – South Korea’s bid for the 2018 Winter Olympics to a resounding victory and was previously part of teams that won the 2014 Winter Olympics for Sochi and the FIFA World Cup for Russia in 2018.

Burns is well known in the industry for building strong, convincing storylines behind major campaigns and tying them into emotional and compelling presentations.

“Baku 2020 brings a breath of fresh air to the 2020 campaign and we are thrilled to be a part of the team,” Burns said.

“The city is tailor-made for an Olympic campaign: 50% of the population is under the age of thirty, 95% of the population support the bid and perhaps most importantly, it’s a responsible bid based on ‘true need’ for the nation.

“Nothing will be built that isn’t needed, and everything that will be built is needed- and paid for.  That’s a subtle but profound difference.”

Baku bid for the 2016 Games but failed to qualify for the shortlist; many believed this was due to a lack of organization and qualified consultants.  This time it seems Azerbaijan’s Olympic Committee is making a more serious effort by signing Helios in addition to renowned consultant pmplegacy that joined the effort last year.

Baku will make a mid-April presentation to the Association for National Olympic Committees (ANOC) in Moscow and in late-May the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will reveal a short list from among the five applicants including Doha, Istanbul, Madrid and Tokyo.

“Baku 2020 is a unique opportunity for sport, the people of Baku and the Olympic Movement,” Burns said.