Minister of Youth and Sports Farid Gayibov has assessed the IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon event being held in Baku, Idman.Biz reports.
Speaking to journalists, Gayibov described the first-ever staging of an IRONMAN event in Baku as a significant occasion for the country.
"Today is another celebration of sport for us because IRONMAN is in Baku for the first time. We had been waiting for this competition and this event for a long time, and finally it got underway today," he said.
The minister noted that numerous international and major sporting events are being held in Baku this year as the city holds the title of World Capital of Sport.
"Representatives of more than 60 countries and over 1,000 athletes are taking part in the competition, including more than 100 Azerbaijani athletes. One of the things that makes us particularly happy is the large number of athletes representing our country. This sport has become increasingly popular in Azerbaijan in recent years, and the number of our IRONMAN participants is growing every year."
Gayibov also stressed the importance of the event for local triathletes.
"This competition is another opportunity for our athletes to earn IRONMAN status. I congratulate every athlete and the federation, and I would like to thank our partners. I would like to see more events like this held in our country."
According to the minister, competitions of this scale also play an important role in encouraging wider public participation in sport.
"As you know, our ministry has a strategy for sport. One of its main objectives is to make sport a way of life for every citizen. By organising events and competitions like this, we are, of course, moving towards achieving these goals."
IRONMAN 70.3 Baku is organised by Azerbaijan's Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Azerbaijan Triathlon Federation and the Baku City Circuit Operations Company.
