Azerbaijan's influence in the world of sport has been boosted over the year since the re-election of President of the National Olympic Committee Ilham Aliyev as the head of state.
Report informs that the country has hosted a number of prestigious international competitions and events since April 2018.
Athletes representing the Land of Fire have managed to step to the pedestal of honor at various levels on the world arena.
In the reporting period Azerbaijan played the host to Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, World Judo Championship, International Shamkir Chess-2018, 2018 UCI BMX World Championships, Trampoline, 26th Trampoline European Championships, Mini trampoline FIG Acrobatic Gymnastics World Cup and other prestigious international competitions.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev presented the F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix Winner’s Cup to Lewis Hamilton, a pilot from MERCEDES. The Head of State attended the solemn opening of the World Judo Championship in Baku. Russian President Vladimir Putin and President of Mongolia Khaltmaagiin Battulga also watched the race live.
Azerbaijani athletes won 753 medals in the international competitions held in 2018. Of those medals, 263 are gold, 230 are silver, 260 are bronze. 313 medals are Olympic (85 gold, 90 silver and 138 bronze medals), and 440 are non-Olympic (178 gold, 140 silver and 122 bronze medals).
The President of Azerbaijan has attended the opening of the Lankaran Olympic Sport Complex on October 15 and the Beylagan Olympic Sport Complex on 13 February this year bringing the number of Olympic Sport Complexes in the country to 45.
President Ilham Aliyev has rewarded athletes and their coaches who won medals in the Third Summer Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
President of Azerbaijan and President of the National Olympic Committee Ilham Aliyev awarded 25 prominent sports figures with apartments during the event dedicated to the 2018 sport results.
Baku will host Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix on April 26-28, UEFA Europa League final match on May 29, UEFA Champions League final on May 29, 15th European Youth Olympic Festival on July 21-27, Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships on May 16-19, and Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships on September 16-22.