In December of the 1997 the preparation conception for Sydney Games was accepted. In January of 1998 several issues relating to the social problems of athletes were solved, federations' activity was put in order. Training process of athletes was arranged, their participation in competitions was guaranteed. The first license was gained in the end of the year. The number of gained licenses increased in 1999. The number of athletes gained licenses reached 31. The training gatherings of athletes organized by the NOC finished in the first half of August. In the second half of the same month the ceremonies, events dedicated to seeing of athletes to Australia took place. One of memorable events was the ceremony of seeing of athletes. The head of state attended the ceremony, which took place in International Tourism Center in Zugulba settlement, which is located on the coast of the blue Caspian Sea on 25 August. The President of the National Olympic Committee llham Aliyev made a report to the head of state on the work done within the recent years, the preparation for Sydney Games. Then the head coach of the Olympic team on judo of the republic Aghayar Akhund-zadeh, the captain of the national team Namig Abdullayev in their speech promised to preserve the sporting honor of the country decently, to return from Sydney with medals.
Azerbaijan President Heydar Aliyev gave his benedictions and advices to the athletes. He wished them good luck and success.
President of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev having underlined the importance, greatness of the Olympic Games said: "The XXVII Summer Olympic Games is the last games of the XX century. Summer Olympic Games is considered as a remarkable event in humanity. However, the XXVII Summer Olympic Games will summarize the XX century and demonstrate the significance of the International Olympic Movement at the close of this century."
The President expressed his pride and delight feelings to the athletes. The ceremony of rising of Azerbaijani flag took place before the eyes of the athletes, Azerbaijan anthem sounded: 'Today we take great pride that Azerbaijan will participate in this Olympic Games as an independent state, as the equal member of the world community and will display the independence, freedom, sovereignty of our country, Azerbaijan national flag will be hoisted, national anthem will be sounded." Athletes were on the way of these games. The President announced of the end of this way. Victory is in your hands, victory is in your arms, victory is in your love to the motherland, in your duty before the Motherland to be realized. These words were faith accords for victory. This faith found place in Zemfira, Namig, Vugar and many of other athletes' hearts. This faith would stimulate, help Zemfira to hit the mark. This faith would give strength to Namig's knees and would not give to stumble. This faith would give strength to Vugar's arms. All these should be taken place in Sydney. Then athletes were listening the head of state in Zugulba: "I would like to express my confidence that Azerbaijani athletes will gain great success at the XXVII Summer Olympic Games and will enhance the honor of Azerbaijan. ...I wish you good luck. With my blessings, I want to say "Go and return to Azerbaijan safe and sound." Azerbaijani people will look forward to you and meet you warmly. What depends on you is to come back without reproach. I believe and with this confidence 1 wish you health, signal successes in a significant international activities."
Olympians took an oath on decent representation of native motherland and left for Sydney.
The last XXVII Summer Olympic Games of the XX century, which the entire humanity was looking forward to, was declared open in Sydney, Australia on September 15. 11000 athletes from 199 countries over the world participated in Olympic Games closed on October 1. Athletes competed for 300 medals in 29 sports events. According to most indications Sydney Games was differed from the previous games and advanced. Up to now the whole mankind could watch the best of the Olympiad in Sydney. These Games was the last led by the President of the International Olympic Committee Juan Antonio Samaranch at the end of term of his presidency. In the closing ceremony marquise Samaranch said: "Seven years ago I said, now I say again: "And the winner is Sydney." The athletes demonstrated the best spirit of fair play, best competitions. They fought for victories, though they were opponents in the competitions, at the end they parted as close friends.
2002 Sydney Games proved reality of eternal Olympic Truce and the service of the Olympic Games in harmonious development of man with a view to encouraging the establishment of a peaceful society concerned with mutual understanding among peoples and preservation of human dignity. The historical joint parade of two Korean delegations proved that fact in the opening ceremony.
Azerbaijan participated at the XXVII Summer Olympic Games as an independent country for the second time. The country was represented with 31 athletes in nine sports disciplines. Azerbaijani athletes could demonstrate their strength in various sport events in the Sydney Games. Our athletes distinguished with good results in judo, boxing, wrestling, shooting events. Zemfira Meftahaddinova competing in skeet shooting events among women brought the first gold medal for the Azerbaijan team. This discipline was included to the Olympic Games program for the first time. Zemfira set two Olympic records in this discipline. She dominated over her opponent in three points and gained the title of the Olympic champion.
The silver medalist of Atlanta Games, wrestler Namig Abdullyev took the second gold medal. Namig having competed successfully group competitions he held the bout in semi final and final on high level. In the final Namig won confident victory over USA athlete Samuel Henson and obtained the title of the Olympic champion.
The first Olympic medal was written to the annals of Azerbaijan boxing. Promising young boxer of 19 Vugar Alakbarov gained this medal. Though our boxer showed confident resistance to the strongest boxer of the planet he lost the bout and took the bronze medal of the Sydney Games.
Azerbaijan with two gold and one bronze medal took the 34th place among 80 countries, and held the 23rd place among the European countries. Zemfira Meftahaddinova, Namig Abduilayev, Vugar Alakbarov wrote these accomplishments for our country. However Sydney games remained in memories not only with the gained medals. Azerbaijan delegation experienced strenuous period there. On September 6 the flag of Azerbaijan was hoisted in Olympic Village in Sydney.
The opening ceremony of the XXVII Summer Olympic Games took place on 15 September. The following day the main competitions began. Azerbaijani athletes competed in judo, swimming, shooting, boxing, athletics, weightlifting, diving and wrestling events. Four athletes of Azerbaijan team - among women Zulfiyya Husseinova (57kg), among men Elchin Ismayilov (60kg), Mehman Azizov (81kg), Rasul Sali-mov (90kg) participated in judo.
On September 16 our judoka Elchin Ismayi-lov competed on tatami in 60kg weight category. It is essential to note that Elchin, European champion of 18 was the youngest athlete among judokas. He held the first bout with the athlete from New Zealand. It was obvious that Elchin attacking against his opponent from the first seconds of the bout was stronger than his opponent. Our athlete applied armlock and won. His second bout did not last long. Elchin won victory with ippon over the athlete from Switzerland. He had to hold the fight with Azerbaijani athlete representing Belarus Natig Bagirov. Elchin overcame the experienced athlete Natig with ippon. Elchin having held the fourth bout with judoka from Uzbekistan dominated over him. Our athlete being ahead of his opponent with one yuka and kuka within 40 seconds left for the end of the bout gave opportunity to his Uzbek opponent to apply lock and was defeated.
In consoling group having won over the judoka from Algeria with ippon Elchin lost the bout to the Kazakh athlete and had to suffice with the 7th place.
On September 18 our judoka Zulfiyya Husseinova held the first bout with Australian athletes Pekli Maria. The referees warned Zulfiyya twice in the beginning of the bout. Those warnings had its effects and in the result her opponent, who was weaker, defeated her. Later having won over Cameroon and Swedish judokas Zulfiyya met with Japanese judoka in the fight for bronze medal. However, Zulfiya was not able to continue the competition because of the shoulder joint injury received in the first minutes of the bout. So, our athlete took the 7th place.
Mehman Azizov was defeated by Argentine judoka Garcia within 15 seconds. He lost the opportunity to join the competition in consolatory group as his opponent lost previous bout.
Rasul Salimov, competing in 90kg weight category is one of the young and promising athletes of our republic. Rasul became the winner of the World Youth Games, and later he won bronze medal in the European Championship held among men and took the fitting place in judo team of Azerbaijan. There was no doubt that he would be able to show good result in the Olympiad. Rasul having won the first bout with ippon in Sydney unexpectedly lost the bout to the Canadian athlete and joined the consolatory group. In that group achievements attained in succession showed that our judoka would take bronze medal. Unfortunately, in the bout with judoka from the USA referee was not objective. Three of four locks applied by our athlete towards his opponent could be valued by ippon. However, referee did not judge any of those attacks. That time sport amateurs from the USA hissed the judge's action. The bout ended in a draw. Each of three referees decided the victory in Rasul's favour. The result of psychological and physical weariness showed its effect in the fight for the bronze medal with French athlete that took place 15 minutes later. Later in his interview Rasul said: "I was adequately prepared for the XXVII Olympic Games. However, the event showed that we lag behind only from psychological point of view. I can explain it as being inexperienced."
One of four judokas representing Azerbaijan could take the 5th, two athletes the 7th places. However, our two athletes could return with medals to the motherland.
Nine athletes represented Azerbaijan in Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling events.
Three of our Greco-Roman wrestlers were well known athletes in international level. There was great hope that they would fight for medals.
The result of lots indicated that our well-known athlete competing in 54kg weight category had to hold fight in the most difficult group. He would try his strength in the same group with two world champions - Turkish Yildiz Erjan and athlete from Cuba Rivas Lazaro. Having met in the first bout with the fourth member of the group a wrestler from New Zealand Natig overcame his opponent very easily (10:0). In the second bout our athlete got the first point however, he lost domination gradually and was defeated. It should be noted that wrestler from Cuba won over the other strong athlete of the group the Turkish athlete in the first group. Everyone was confident that the athlete from New Zealand would sustain a defeat. From this point of view Natig could hold the fight for the seventh place in the bout with Erjan. Ant it happened so. Our wrestler performing well gained confident victory and had to suffice with the 7th place. Korean Sim Kwon Hu took the title of the Olympic champion in this weight category. Rivas who took the first place in Natig's group became the owner of silver medal. Khvicha Bichinashvili who fought in 76kg weight was defeated by the Korean and Turkish opponents in group events and stopped his performance.
Islam Duguchiyev finished successfully group competitions. However, our wrestler injured in the first bout and in the result he was defeated by Valeri Nikitin representative of Estonia in final in additional time and took he 6 place.
Thus three athletes represented our republic in Greco-Roman events took the 6, 7 and 16 places.
The last week of the XXVII Summer Olympic Games was successful for Azerbaijani athletes. Namig Abdullayev performing in 54kg weight category in his group defeated Jin Ju Dong from North Korea and Martin Liddly, a wrestler from New Zealand and gained the right to compete in final. In the semi final having won victory over his Greek opponent Amiran Karn-tanov with a score 5:3 and in the final Samuel Henson American wrestler with a score 4:3 gained the title of the Olympic champion. Namig's brother Arif Abdullayev competed in 58kg weight category performed poor. In the first bout of the bout Arif having won victory over Otmar Gunery athlete from German defeated Ukrainian Evgeny Buslovich. However, in the last 40 seconds Arif missed the domination and created opportunity for his opponent to apply action. This action caused dispute between referees. They gave the victory to Arif. But after the consideration of protest of Ukrainian coaches the decision was changed. Arif met with Evgeny Buslovich again. For that time our athlete was ahead with 5 points in 40 seconds rested to the end of the bout. But he performed poor in the last seconds and lost the bout. He took the 10th place of the competitions. Shamil Afandiyev competing in 63kg weight category in group competitions won victory over Slovak Stephan Fernyaka and Australian Musa llhana and in the third bout lost Yi Sung athlete from Souh Korea. Our wrestler stopped the competition with 7th place. In 76kg weight category Uzbek athlete Ruslan Hin-chakov in additional time defeated Elshad Allahverdiyev in the first bout of the group competitions. Having scored victory in the following bout with Jannu Du Toyta wrestler from South Africa with a score 8:5 took the 11 place. Kazakh wrestler Islam Bayramukov defeated Davud Mahammadov participating in 97kg weight category in the first bout of the group. In the following bout he defeated the wrestler from Cuba Wilfred Morales he could not take the first place in the group and stopped the competition.
Though Rajab Ashabaliyev performing in 130kg weight category won over Ukrainian Merabi Veliyev lost the following bout to American wrestler Kerry Mccoy and sufficed with 9th place.
Azerbaijani boxers have never gained medals in the Olympic Games up to now. The participation of our boxers in the Olympic Games began from Atlanta. For the first time Adalat Mammadov preserved boxing honor of the Republic. He competed successfully in Atlanta Games.
Boxing rapidly develops in the republic for the last years. Therefore, as a result of its promotion our athletes won splendid successes in European, World Championships and international tournaments. Five boxers representing Azerbaijani team among those athletes having gained licenses for Sydney Games - AN Isma-yilov, Vugar Alakbarov, Ruslan Khairov, Mahammad Ariphajiyev, Mahaj nuriddinov demonstrated their ability once more.
On September 18 Azerbaijani boxer Vugar Alakbarov performing in 75kg weight in the bout with against Kenyan boxer won confident victory in all four bouts. In the bout with Australian boxer Vugar did not give any chance to his opponent. In the third bout he won confident victory over experienced Turkish athlete. In the semi final his opponent was boxer from Cuba. Though, our boxer held the fight with all his forces till the end of the bout however he could not prevail over his opponent. Thus, Vugar Alakbarov brought the first bronze Olympic medal on boxing for the first time.
Mahaj Nuriddinov competed in 60kg weight category held the bout in the ring on 17 September. But Mahaj could not stand for attacks of experienced Russian athlete Alexandr Mele-tin and lost.
Our heavyweight boxer Mahammad Aripja-nov having lost the first bout in Sydney left the competition.
Azeri boxer Ali Ismayilov performing in 81 kg weight won victory over the representative of Bulgaria in start. In the second round he had held the fight with Sergei Mikhaylov representing Uzbekistan. The first three rounds Uzbek boxer dominated. Only in the fourth round Ali could equalize the points and dominated. However he missed opportunity and again and had to stop the fight.
Rusian Khairov competing in 67kg weight category did not compete in the first bout.
Having won victory in the following bout he reached the quarter-finals. If he had to left the ring with victory he would have gained a bronze medal. Though, Ruslan Khairov parried blows of the winner of Atlanta-96 Russian Oleg Saitov however, had to left the ring with defeat. The bout was held in strenuous atmosphere from the beginning to the end and ended with a score 10:10. But to referees opinion Saitov was more active in the bout held in equal level. In the result Russian boxer gained a right to compete in the semi final and Azerbaijani boxer had to suffice with 5th place.
Irada Hashimova and Zemfira Meftahaddi-nova represented Azerbaijan in shooting competitions. Zemfira Meftahaddinova performing in skeet shooting events held among women, discipline included for the first time to the Olympic Games program having shown top results set two Olympic records and gained the title of the Olympic champion. Irada Hashimova performing before Zemfira with pneumatic rifle in 10m distance showed low results and did not compete in the fourth stage and took the last place. Our athlete competed in shooting events in 25m distance. In qualification events she collected 569 points and missed opportunity to compete in the final and took the 31 place on the whole list.
Four athletes represented our country in weightlifting events in Sydney,
Tarana Abbasova in 53kg weight pulled 75kg in clean and jerking and having lifted 90kg in snatch she showed 165kg result and took the 10th place,
Elkhan Suleymanov (62kg) lifted 130kg in clean and jerking, managed to lift 165,5kg in snatch took the 8th place with 292,5 result.
Turan Mirzayev competed in B group could take the 1st place for the whole sum of two disciplines. He pulled 147,5kg in clean and jerking, 180kg in snatch and collected 327,5kg in total. After competitions of weightlifters in A group Turan according to its result took the 10th place.
Nizami Pashsayev competing in 85kg weight category injured his left hand on the eve of the competitions. This injure made doubts that he could enter to the rows of winners. It happened so. Nizami having lifted 155kg in clean and jerk and 202,5kg in snatch took the 12 place with a whole sum of 357kg in two disciplines. It should be noted that Nizami with 202,5kg result set world record among youth.
It was known beforehand that Azerbaijani athletes competing in other sport events in Sydney could not show top results. The main goal of participation of those athletes in the Olympic Games was to give impulse for the development of corresponding sport disciplines in future, create condition to improve athletes mastership. Alisa Khaliyeva competing in swimming events among women in free style 50m could not compete in the initial stage. According to the whole sum she took the 59th place. Emil Guliyev performing in the same distance among men sufficed with the 61st place. Emin Jabrayilov representing Azerbaijan in diving events for the second time could not show high result and took the 31st place. Track ad field athletes did not manage to show positive results. Teymur Gasimov representing our republic in 100m run distance events failed in the initial stage. Faig Bagirov was the 59th who reached the finish in 800m run distance. Sergei Bochkov performing in triple event showed poor result than result showed before the Olympiad and left the competition. Aida Isayeva who participated in 20km distance in sports walk left the event in 6km.
Azerbaijan is one of the most wonderful lands around the world possesses an ancient history. We are well aware of the fact that still, 1,5-2 million years ago primitive human beings settled in this splendid country. Azerbaijani is the nation of antique culture, the homeland of a number of thinkers, learned men, poets, architects and musicians. Representatives of each people must have particular abilities to demonstrate and familiarize the culture, art of the country of the world scale. It is also significant for the integration of cultures. The Olympic ideals aim in promoting the diversity of cultures of various peoples, nations, in making it as part of the universal culture, encouraging to promotion and expansion of cultures in serving for humans. In one of exhibition, arranged within the framework of the festival of culture held in Sydney, two works submitted by the Azeri artists among 16 entries dedicated to sports were featured in the exhibition entitled "Olympic, Art, Sport-2000". The same works having taken the fourth place were rewarded with the IOC diplomas.
The work done in the direction of the familiarizing of Azerbaijan in the farthest country Australia was not sufficient.
On September 18 at 18.00pm the Day of Azerbaijan held in Regent Hotel in Sydney was one of such big events. The President of the National Olympic Committee llham Aliyev informed the guests of Azerbaijan, attitude in the country to Olympic Movement and sport, committee's activity, the participation of our athletes in the Olympic Games and expressed his gratitude to the guests for accepting his invitation and having taken part in the "Day of Azerbaijan". NOC's President having mentioned his confidence in extending and strengthening of cooperation of Azerbaijan with other countries in all fields especially in the field of Olympic Movement and sport and invited the guests to familiarize with Azerbaijan more closely. Works of Azerbaijani artists and sculptures, models of carpets weaved in the ancient land represented at the exhibition guided them. The guests were interested with works displayed in the exhibition and learned much about our country in that exhibition and expressed their satisfaction with endearing words. They shared their impression about Azerbaijan in interview with journalist of Azerbaijan TV.
Jacques Rogge, the President of the European Olympic Committee highly appreciated the initiative of the NOC of Azerbaijan to hold such a remarkable event during the Olympic Games and familiarization of the respected guests with Azerbaijan, its rich and ancient culture, sports, the exhibition which could demonstrate Azerbaijan with its wonderful works, carpets displayed in he exhibition to the entire world. He expressed his gratitude to llham Aliyev for the work carried out, for the development of the Olympic Movement, for care and concern shown to the promotion of sports in Azerbaijan and for his invitation to Baku. Fikrat Unli minister for Sport of Turkey conveyed his impressions and said: "I extend my congratulations to you. I am very pleased to be with you. You have wonderful works of art. 1 am glad to familiarize with wonderful works of your artists.
I wish you successes in the Olympic Games. We are brothers, friends. We are people of two countries who love each other. I feel myself surrounded by my dear friends."
The President of the National Olympic Committee of the Republic llham Aliyev held a number of meetings with presidents of NOCs of various countries, sports ministers, heads of the International Sports Federations in businesslike atmosphere in the "Day of Azerbaijan".
At the end of the Day of Azerbaijan presents promoting Azerbaijan were introduced to the guests.
Officials of the International Olympic Committee, the President of the European Olympic Committee Jacques Rogge, Committee's Secretary General Mario Pescante, presidents of various National Olympic Committees, sports ministers, leaders of the international Sports Federations, representatives of Azerbaijan diaspora living in Sydney attended the "Day of Azerbaijan".
On October 1 Sydney Olympic Games came to close. During the solemn closing ceremony Olympic flag was handed to the representative of the host city of the next Olympic Games - Athens. The following day sports delegations started to leave for their countries. Azerbaijan athletes said good-bye to Sydney and they returned to Baku.
Our sport delegation, left Sydney on October 2, was expected impatiently in Bina Airport of Baku after two days. Azerbaijan met solemnly the Olympians left for far away Australia and who elevated its honor there.
The airport was crowded with thousand of people gathered to greet Olympians.
And people still had been coming to the airport. The people welcomed the Olympic heroes with flowers, music, songs and exclamations "Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan" that filled hearts with emotions. Everyone was eager to see and to hold our Olympians Zemfira, Namig, Vugar to shake their hands, to listen to their excitements and joys.
The Olympians were given warm welcome.
Long Live Azerbaijan!
Azerbaijani Olympians having returned with success were met with great love, warm and respect in each part of the country, everyone wanted to meet with them, radio, TV channels, newspapers and magazines of the republic wrote about the Olympians.
On October 18 the President of the Azerbaijan Republic Heydar Aliyev received Azerbaijani delegation returned home with accomplishments from Sydney. That day was not chosen by accident. Nine years of Azerbaijan Salvation was celebrated on that day the.
Winners of the Olympic Games and their coaches were awarded with state orders at the solemn meeting held in the Presidential palace. All Olympians received president's awards.
Some days later, on October 29 the NOC arranged Olympic Ball devoted to accomplishments attained in Sydney Olympic Games. Certainly that event was not held in official atmosphere devoted to serious consideration of reports on results obtained in Sydney Olympic Games but as a festivity, entertainment and celebration. All members of Azerbaijan delegation participated in Sydney Games were invited. The National Olympic Committee presented its awards to the Olympians at the party. Words said by the President of the NOC Ilham Aliyev summarized the four year period of Sydney Olympic Games: "I desire to experience once more happy moments of victories that I lived through in Sydney. I think you also want to experience those feelings again. I am confident that we will live through those moments again. In 2004 Azerbaijan will attain greater accomplishments Athens Olympic Games."