British Olympic Association announce athletes selected for European Games

The British Olympic Association (BOA) is delighted to today announce the 153 athletes selected to represent Team GB at this summer’s inaugural European Games in Baku.

Team GB will compete across 13 sports and 19 disciplines at Baku 2015, as 50 European nations come together for the continent’s first ever major multi-sport event from June 12^th – 28^th this year.

Click here to view the judo team.

In total, 20 sports make up the programme for the 17 days of action in Baku and over 6,000 athletes are expected in Azerbaijan to compete across the 253 medal events.

Of Team GB’s 19 disciplines, two come from the non-Olympic world (aerobic and acrobatic gymnastics) while 10 will have added significance on the road to Rio and qualification for the 2016 Olympic Games.

These events will offer either direct qualification for certain placed athletes, the chance to achieve qualification standards or pick up ranking points, or qualification opportunities for the World Championships, which in turn offer the chance to secure a place at Rio 2016.

The Rio 2016 qualification disciplines for Team GB in Baku are: aquatics (swimming), archery, beach volleyball, boxing, judo, shooting, table tennis, taekwondo, triathlon and wrestling.

Team GB’s Chef de Mission Mark England said: “It’s fantastic to be able to announce the athletes who will be competing for Team GB at Baku 2015. It’s great opportunity for many of them to test themselves against Europe’s best, gain crucial multi-sport Games experience or build on their road to Rio 2016.

“I’m also delighted to see such a large team from Great Britain heading out to Baku – our largest travelling delegation since the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games – and I’m sure it’ll be a hugely proud moment for each of them.”

BOA CEO Bill Sweeney said: “The BOA is delighted to be sending such a large Team GB to Baku for the first ever European Games and we’re looking forward to a hugely successful first edition of the event. With 20 sports and over 6,000 athletes on show it promises to be an exciting 17 days of competition.”

Team GB fans will also be able to watch the team in action  as BT Sport today announced that they will provide daily coverage of the Games.

The broadcast deal is the latest in a series signed by Baku 2015, with the event’s broadcast reach now stretching to all corners of Europe and across the globe.

Gemma Gibbons said: “London 2012 was such a special time, so to be able to compete for Team GB and wear the Olympic Rings again is a huge honour for me. The Games are of increased significance for me because not only do they double up as the judo European Championships but they also represent an important step on our road to Rio with the chance to gain ranking points for the Olympic Games next summer.”