Intro:

Azad Rahimov, the Azeri sports minister, talks about a potential bid to host the 2024 Olympic Games in Baku.

Script:

SOUNDBITE: (English) Azad Rahimov, Azeri sports minister: (on meeting the deadline for a possible 2024 Olympic bid)

"We are not starting any consultations with the International Olympic Committee, because as you know we were too focused and concentrated on the (European) Games in that time. That's why I say immediately after the Games we will make our analysis. But up to my information, Boston is still not confirmed, Berlin or Hamburg not confirmed. Budapest just recently decided to bid. Actually the final decision is not by made any city, it's totally right, there's consultations going on. I think we'll have enough time, more or less, two and a half months, to receive the decision. Of course, the deadline is September and we have to say yes or no, we are going or not going, until this time. It's enough to make this decision, enough time that.

SOUNDBITE: (English) Azad Rahimov, Azeri sports minister: (on meeting the deadline for a possible 2024 Olympic bid)

"We are not starting any consultations with the International Olympic Committee, because as you know we were too focused and concentrated on the (European) Games in that time. That's why I say immediately after the Games we will make our analysis. But up to my information, Boston is still not confirmed, Berlin or Hamburg not confirmed. Budapest just recently decided to bid. Actually the final decision is not by made any city, it's totally right, there's consultations going on. I think we'll have enough time, more or less, two and a half months, to receive the decision. Of course, the deadline is September and we have to say yes or no, we are going or not going, until this time. It's enough to make this decision, enough time that."

"The oil went down (in price), plus there was the devolution of the manat, approximately more than 30 per cent. But we did not have any pressure to the budget of the Baku European Games Operating Committee. All our needs were totally fulfilled."