Baku will host the inaugural European Games in 2015 after Olympic Committees voted for its approval in Rome.
The capital of Azerbaijan was the sole candidate in the secret ballot that passed with 38 in favour, eight against and three abstaining on Saturday.
Other continents already have regional competitions, such as the Asian Games and Pan American Games. The biggest obstacle to a European Games has been the fact that two major sports — athletics and swimming — already have established continental competitions.
It remains unclear if athletics and swimming will participate in 2015.
The event will include 15 of the 28 summer Olympic sports, plus two non-Olympic sports, which have not been selected yet.

AzerTAc