Baku says goodbye to European Games

The first European Games have officially come to a close, with a spectacular and thrilling ceremony at Baku Olympic Stadium on Sunday.

Some 6.000 athletes representing 50 European Olympic Committees competed in Baku since June 12 in 20 (16 Olympic and 4 non-Olympic)sporting disciplines.

The Baku 2015 European Games medal count finished with Russia on top with a total of 164 medals (79 of them gold). Coming up just behind Russia was Team Azerbaijan with 56 total (including 21 gold) and Britain with a total of 47 medals (18 of them gold).

Among nations with at least 10 medals, Serbia had the largest share of gold medals as total medals. Eight of 15 of Serbia's medals were gold.

Five nations won at least one medal in Baku.

For the very last time in these inaugural European Games, the athletes joined by their families, coaches, volunteers as well as commercial partners, media and the general public took the stage, as the Baku night sky was lit up by 10,000 fireworks.

English singer and musician John Newman performed his hit song "Love Me Again".

Under the direction of James Hadley, the Baku 2015 closing ceremony has become a spectacular show for the attendees and the millions of viewers worldwide, bringing to an end the 17 days of thrilling competition.

Speeches at the ceremony were given by the First Lady of Azerbaijan,President of the country's Gymnastics Federation Mehriban Aliyeva and EOC President Patrick Hickey, who thanked Azerbaijan for the excellent organization and declared the Games officially closed.

For some disciplines the European Games acted as direct qualification for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Baku was awarded the right to host the first European Games at the 41st EOC General Assembly in Rome, on December 8, 2012. The European Games will take place every four years thereafter, with the next competition due to be held in 2019. Endi