Baku, 8th October 2014 Of course not alone, but Rahimov, the Minister of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Chief Executive Officer for the Baku 2015 European Games Operation Committee, is pivotal to the great adventure that the European Olympic Committees, BEGOC and the whole country of Azerbaijan are turning into reality – and a successful one – in June 2015.
Azad Rahimov, who turns 50 today, previously held various positions which include Vice-President of the National Olympic Committee and President of the Azerbaijan Dance Sport Federation. A graduate from Azerbaijan University of Languages, where he earned a degree in English, he took up his current post in 2005 when the country’s President, Ilham Aliyev, decided to set up a separate Ministry for Youth and Sport.
Since Rahimov took over as Minister, Azerbaijan has enjoyed record-breaking Olympic performances, with seven medals, including a gold, at Beijing 2008, and improving on that four years later with 10 medals, two of which gold.
His next performance, a marathon, will certainly be even better. Many happy returns, Minister.