Minister of Youth and Sports of Azerbaijan Farid Gayibov said that the country is hoping to host a continental or world event in artistic gymnastics as well, after securing the latest tournament.

"We have World Cups every year," Gayibov, who is also the President of European Gymnastics, said.

"We have not hosted the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships yet.

"But it will come in the future.

"We were planning to have a European event first, but it was not possible due to COVID-19.

"But it will happen soon."

The National Gymnastics Arena, where the 2023 European Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships is taking place, will also stage the 2027 Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships.

Minister of Youth and Sports of Azerbaijan Farid Gayibov said that the country is hoping to host a continental or world event in artistic gymnastics as well ©Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation

Gayibov said that the Arena is the most "unique" gymnastics venue in the world that regularly hosts events and training camps for teams from all over the world.

The Ukrainian national team had been training here for a month in preparation for the ongoing European Championships.

"We needed to host more events to make it popular and we built this fantastic venue in 2014.

"This is a unique place.

"I have travelled around many countries as part of European Gymnastics but I have never seen a place like this.

"There are so many facilities here - accommodation, training and even a school.

"The national teams train here.

"We have delegations from all over the world coming here.

"It is always busy here and with such a facility, we have to organise events every year."

Baku previously hosted the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships in 2005 and 2019.

The National Gymnastics Arena in Baku is currently hosting the 2023 European Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships ©Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation

The city has also staged the European Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships five times – 2007, 2009, 2014, 2019 and 2023.

They first hosted a World Cup series event in 2003.

According to Gayibov, rhythmic gymnastics discipline is the most "popular" discipline for girls and women here and the sport has developed over the years.

"In 2003, we had four or five clubs for rhythmic gymnastics," he said.

"But now there are plenty all over the country.

"It is the most popular discipline for girls here.

"Then we had our first World Championships in Azerbaijan in any Olympic sports in 2005.

"I remember it was a huge hall at the Heydar Aliyev Sports and Concert Complex and it was almost empty.

"The second time, it was sold out.

"Even now, it was almost full yesterday here, and I am told we are sold out for tomorrow and day after."