The inaugural European Games helped boost the image of Azerbaijan a new poll has claimed ©Getty Images

Hosting the 2015 European Games in Baku boosted the international image of Azerbaijan 80 per cent of people there believe, according to a new survey.

The poll among 150,000 youngsters in Azerbaijan will be the key point in the final presentation to be made by Baku 2015 at the 44th European Olympic Committees (EOC) General Assembly, due to start here tomorrow. 

The report will be presented by Azad Rahimov, Azerbaijan's Minister of Youth and Sport and chief executive of Baku 2015, to an audience expected to include International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach and Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, head of the Association of National Olympic Committees.

The build-up to the Games was overshadowed by protests about Azerbaijan's human rights record and its relationship with Armenia.

The event, however, was widely considered a success.

Nearly 6,000 athletes representing all 50 members of the EOC took part in the Games, comprising 253 events in 20 sports. 

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Nearly 6,000 athletes from 50 countries took part in the first European Games in Baku ©Getty Images

"The first Baku-2015 European Games are an example of Azerbaijani tolerance and cultural traditions,” said Rahimov.

“At this event we were able to demonstrate the development of our potential, cultural and moral values."

The EOC is still officially seeking a host for the 2019 edition of the European Games.

The Netherlands were originally chosen but withdrew on the eve of Baku 2015. 

It had been widely expected that the event would be awarded to either Kazan or Sochi at this General Assembly but that is now not expected following the damning report published earlier this month by the World Anti-Doping Agency Independent Commission into alleged state-supported doping in Russia.

EOC President Patrick Hickey is due to present an update during the meeting. 



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