A review of the Baku 2015 European Games

After 17 days of thrilling competition, the first European Games came to an end on Sunday 28 June. Across 20 sports in 18 venues, new heroes were born and older stars burned brightly. History was made in Baku, which welcomed the world in its own inimitable style.

The city and its thousands of visitors witnessed top-level sport, as some of the world’s leading athletes and the stars of tomorrow competed against and for each other. From the sands of the Beach Arena, to the Wrestling mats of Heydar Aliyev Arena, medals were won, records set, and friendships made.

Hungary finished with 20 medals, 8 of them gold, 4 of them silver, and 8 of them bronze.

Nowhere was Hungarian dominance clearer than in Canoe Sprint, where its athletes won 5 gold and 5 bronze medals. Stand-out performers were Danuta Kozák, who won 2 golds and 1 bronze, Zoltán Kammerer, who won 2 golds, and Anna Kárász, who won 1 gold and 1 bronze medals.

On the whole, Hungary finished 11th in the medal table, which an impressive achievement from such a small country. Its success came in seven areas: Canoe Sprint, Wrestling, Boxing, Judo, Shooting, Swimming, and Gymnastics Aerobic.