The measures taken at the governmental level in connection with development of the sport and Olympic movement in the country, the works carried out replace each other. In February 1998 President of the Republic of Azerbaijan signed decree "About preparation to the XXVII Summer Olympic Games". The given decree gave strong impulse to the preparation work for the Olympic Games. In March of the same year President was participating in the solemn opening ceremony of the final stage of the 1st Republican Youth Games. Another step was taken in the direction of bringing mass character to the sport in the country, determination of the young professionals. At the end of the year opening ceremony of the sportive complex of sportive-health center of "Dinamo" association was held. The given ceremony was held with participation of the President of the Republic. In the speech during this ceremony Heydar Aliyev said: The works carried out for the development of the sport, physical culture and the works that will be carried out in future are one of the key directions of our governmental, state policy".

So, on the eve of new millennium attention and care about the sport in Azerbaijan at the governmental level increase day by day.

International Olympic Committee prepared special gift to congratulate all heads of the states supporting, contributing in the development of the Olympic ideals, development of the Olympic Movement in their countries on the occasion of the beginning of the new century of human history, new millennium. It was specified in the letter sent by the President of the International Olympic Committee Chuan Antonio Samaranch to the President of the National Olympic Committee Ilham Aliyev that International Olympic Committee presented the work of famous sculptor Nag Arnold "Olympic doors of 2000" to the head of Azeri state on the occasion of 2000. That work was presented to Azeri President during his meeting with the sportsmen.

"Olympic doors of 2000" had opened to Azerbaijan's face. This year Azeri sportsmen had participated in Summer Olympic Games for the second time under the flag of the republic. Intensive work carried out by the National Olympic Committee, support given by the head of the state to the sport created more opportunities for larger delegation of Azeri Olympic sportsmen.

On 25 August 2000 in "Ganjlik" complex there was a meeting of the president with the sportsmen leaving for XXVII Summer Olympic Games. In the given meeting head of the country gave his blessing to the sportsmen as it was four years ago, wished successes to them. The Olympic sportsmen were able to keep their promises in Sydney. Our athletes who won two gold, one bronze medal took the 34th place among 199 countries.

Azeri President received the Olympic sportsmen on October 17 after Sydney, highly esteemed their results. The sportsmen who demonstrated high results and their coaches were awarded with the state orders and medals, valuable gifts. In the meeting head of the state spoke. In his speech President Heydar Aliyev noted about the successes of our sportsmen in Sydney: "Each of you was working hard. You were speaking here about the care of the government about the sportsmen, thanked us. However, this is our duty. This is a duty of the government. The government, the state has a lot of duties in every field. If we can reach something in any field, it means we managed to implement our duty. I am very proud today that we are implementing our duty in front of the nation, people, Motherland taking care about the sport, physical culture".

These words inspired the sportsmen to the new victories as an expressing of care about the sport. In the meeting the text of the letter sent by the president of the International Olympic Committee Chuan Antonio Samaranch to Azeri President was read. It was said in the telegram:

"His Excellency Mr. Heydar Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Mr. President and My Dear Friend!

The first games of the new millennium, the games considered the best in the Olympic history - XXVII summer Olympic Games were announced in Sydney. Wonderful performing of the world sportsmen, as well as Azeri sportsmen caused in successful completion. Due to it, I am expressing you my sincere congratulations and the support rendered to the National Olympic Committee.

Mr. President, I am asking you to accept my sincere regards.

Chuan Antonio SAMARANCH,

President of International Olympic Committee

Lozanna, 6 October 2000"

During the meeting with the participants of Sydney Games in his speech President of the Republic said: "National Olympic Committee has very big plans. Ilham Aliyev said that new big complex had been constructed for the National Olympic Committee. In a few days we will be participating in the opening ceremony of it. Creation of strong material-technical basis is one of the key terms. It is one of the biggest deserves of the National Olympic Committee that the committee is hardly engaged in this work and not taking any sums from the government, established new buildings for the sport, Olympic athletes using its own funds. We are greeting it, supporting it. We will be assisting them in future as well. I am repeating that I am very hopeful that you will not be satisfied with these results, you will be working over yourselves, you will be participating in various world competitions in the term until the next Olympic Games and you will be making us glad with new achievements".

On 21 October 2000 the sportive complex constructed by the Azerbaijan National Olympic Committee was put into exploitation. Azeri President was participating in the opening ceremony of the complex. President highly esteemed the work of the National Olympic Committee. Along with it, he gave his recommendations on future activity of the committee: "I think that this is beginning of the National Olympic Committee. Naturally, from the experience gained by the National Olympic Committee being inspired with the estimation given to this work by the public, we will be expanding the circle of our work, we will be carrying out a lot of work in the field of establishment of material-technical basis. I think, the sport in Azerbaijan will be raised in next Olympic Games, it will be even more developed".

On the same day head of the state received president of European Olympic Committee Jacque Rogge and Secretary General of the same committee Mario Peskante paying a visit to Azerbaijan.