MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The first-ever European Games were held in the Azerbaijani capital from June 12 until June 28. The major sports event brought together some 6,000 athletes from 50 European countries.
The Russian team led the table, having won a total of 162 medals, including 78 gold and 40 silver. The games’ host, Azerbaijan, came second, with 56 medals, including 21 gold.
“Together you have shown that our national team has a huge potential, good reserve. I am sure that this is a keystone to success of Russia at the XXXI Olympics in Rio de Janeiro,” Putin said in a greeting statement to Russian athletes as published on the Russian Olympic Committee’s website.
The European Games will be held every four years.
