A 19-strong team from the Baku 2015 European Games Operations Committee (BEGOC) recently participated in the Games Experience Programme at the 17th Incheon Asian Games 2014, looking to gain vital insight into operations best practice at a major continental multi-sport event.

The Asian Games is one of the largest and most complex multi-sport events in the world. A total of 13,000 athletes and officials will represent 45 nations across 36 sports over 15 days in South Korea, making it an excellent learning opportunity for the organisers of the first European Games.

Mr James Macleod, Baku 2015 Director of Athlete Services and Operations, lead the team comprising employees from a number of BEGOC directorates. He said: “I would like to congratulate the Olympic Council of Asia and the organisers of the 2014 Asian Games for what has been an impressive event so far. Every aspect of our experience there was of the highest order, and we are grateful for the opportunity to learn from their talented and professional team.

“The European Games will be a very different event to the Asian Games in many respects. But they have set world-class standard for operational efficiency and organisational excellence, and BEGOC fully intends to meet that standard.”

Mr Gavin McAlpine, Baku 2015 Director of Operational Capability and Readiness, said: “The insights gained by our team in Incheon will be invaluable for the final months of planning and preparations for European Games operations.

“No matter how much effort is put into writing and studying plans, there is no substitute for first-hand experience in delivering a programme as complex as the European Games.

“Our team has been inspired by watching the Asian Games in action. Having returned to Baku we are more motivated than ever to make the inaugural European Games an outstanding success.”

Mr Ramin Mammadzada, Baku 2015 accreditation operations team leader, was one of the team who attended and enjoyed the opportunity to experience a major multi-sport event in person. He said: “Visiting the Incheon Asian Games was a wonderful observation tour for all of us. We had the opportunity to visit the Athletes Village, the Games family hotel and also enjoyed a tour of the venues which was all very useful for us.

“The Opening Ceremony was a fantastic show and was very well organised, but there were many things for us all to learn and it was a very important experience for the whole Baku 2015 team.”