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First European Games ends with glittering closing ceremony at Baku National Stadium - Caribbean sports broadcaster

29 June 2015 07:05 (UTC +04:00)

The inaugural European Games have been brought to a close with a glittering closing ceremony at the Baku National Stadium.

Sunday saw the final day of competition - ending 16 days of action across 253 events - before proceedings were completed in Azerbaijan's capital.

Spectators in the arena were treated to multiple fireworks displays and performances from pop acts Clean Bandit, John Newman and DJ Gareth Emery.

Paying tribute to the Games, Mehriban Aliyeva - the First Lady of Azerbaijan - praised the athletes' "courage and grace" and also spoke of an "overwhelming sense of pride in our country and our people".

Patrick Hickey, president of the European Olympic Committees (EOC), which organized the Games, then made his closing speech.

"To the European Olympic family and our friends around the world, I say this with certainty, the future is bright for Azerbaijan, the future is bright for the European Games," said Hickey.

"With gratitude, with pride and with great optimism, I declare the Baku 2015 inaugural European Games closed."

Earlier in the day Hickey received the European Games flag from Azerbaijan's Minister of Youth and Sport and Baku 2015 CEO, Azad Rahimov.