Baku 2017 Solidarity Games close with spectacular ceremony

Azerbaijan has made history by successfully hosting another high-profile international sporting event – the 4th Islamic Solidarity Games. Baku experienced a thrilling 12 days of sport and solidarity. With a haul of 75 medals, Azerbaijan topped the overall medal table of the Games. Azerbaijan's state anthem was played 75 times, the country`s national flag was raised 162 times throughout this multi-sport event.

The country brought the 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games to an end with a sparkling closing ceremony at Baku's Olympic Stadium on May 22 night.

The stadium welcomed officials and guests – President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, First Vice President and Chair of the Baku 2017 Organising Committee Mehriban Aliyeva, Secretary General of the Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation (ISSF) Faisal Abdulaziz AlNassar.

Although many of the 2,800 athletes that competed had already left the city, Baku and its 1,500 volunteer performers put on a vibrant show to officially wave goodbye. The stadium has been transformed into an enormous 360˚ performance and concert space equipped with a state-of-the-art sound system.

The closing ceremony itself began by depicting a young woman in Baku's old town blowing gold dust that is carried around the capital by the Gilavar breeze, to show its most iconic sights.

The parade of the remaining athletes followed, with a massive cheer from the tens of thousands of fans greeting their victorious team, who were led by judo gold medalist Elkhan Mammadov.

A 25-metre high 'tree of life' provided the focal point for the ceremony, and was 'watered' before the show passed through several segments celebrating Azerbaijani culture and the 'spirit of solidarity'.

The stage elements were laid on a grid that referenced the extraordinary geometric designs characteristic of Islamic art, and traditional Azerbaijani carpets. Center stage was a large water bowl made of polished and hammered copper, 8 meters in diameter (which appeared in the Opening Ceremony on May 12), and a tree of life, 25 meters high.

The set was installed in just 36 hours, following the end of the Athletics events on May 20.

The Ceremony was brought to life by 1,500 volunteer performers from Azerbaijan. More than 5,000 people from 31 different countries have helped make the Baku 2017 Ceremonies a reality, including production staff, technical crew and cast.

After a celebration of the 12,000 volunteers that helped make the Games a reality, the baton was passed over to Azerbaijan's traditional good friends Turkey, with Istanbul set to hold the fifth Solidarity Games in 2021.

Mehriban Aliyeva, First Vice President of Azerbaijan, Chair of the Baku 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games Organizing Committee addressed the event saying that holding the 4th Islamic Solidarity Games in Azerbaijan is a reflection of the entire Islamic world’s respect and support for Azerbaijan and its people.

She said Azerbaijan has proven itself as a great sporting nation. “Our national team came top of the medals table. I am proud of this historic victory and sincerely congratulate the people of Azerbaijan.”

“The true victory of these last days was the celebration of the Islamic world’s solidarity and unity,” added Mehriban Aliyeva. “Let us all preserve this unity, and foster Islamic solidarity. May Allah bless all Muslims!”

“Over the past 10 days, athletes from across the Islamic world came together in an inspirational celebration of sport, friendship and unity. Their courage and dedication was truly moving, their performances were wonderful to watch.”

“For us and everyone here in Baku over the last 10 days, the solidarity of the Islamic world seen at these Games is another big victory. It is a source of great pride that Azerbaijan has supported the spirit of friendship between our nations. We must all work hard to continue this noble mission into the future.”

“I would like to thank the Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation for the opportunity to welcome the athletes of the Islamic world to Baku, strengthening the bonds of solidarity among our peoples,” said Mrs. Aliyeva.

She noted that these Games and many other important international sporting, cultural and political events have sealed Baku’s reputation as a center for openness and tolerance.

“Our capital opened its arms to the Islamic sporting community, and the success of these Games is a tribute to the dedication and passion of all Azerbaijan.”

Mehriban Aliyeva said Azerbaijan will continue to welcome the world to Baku – at the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix this summer, the Women’s European Volleyball Championships in September, and in 2020 when European Championship football matches will be played in the Baku Olympic Stadium.

“I am delighted to announce that the next Islamic Solidarity Games will be held in Istanbul in 2021. We wish our Turkish brothers and sisters every success. With pride, I declare the Baku Fourth Islamic Solidarity Games closed. Thank you Baku! Thank you Azerbaijan!” Mehriban Aliyeva said concluding her speech.

A concert featuring six famous local musicians concluded the ceremony, before a firework display of 15,000 pyrotechnics above the stadium sent the spectators home in fine fashion.

The Azerbaijani capital hosted a record number of more than 3,000 athletes, around 2,000 team officials and technical staff.

Baku 2017 enjoyed a global audience of more than one billion in over 50 countries. The Games were covered by more than 1,000 media representatives

A total of 2,800 athletes from four continents contested 1,585 medals in 269 medal events.