From the speech of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Sports Complex in Nakhcivan - 15 June, 2002


“...It is not simple to construct and use an Olympic Complex in Nakhcivan. When I lived in Nakhcivan, I didn’t even imagine that our life will improve, peace will be ensured and our economy will develop. Then I even didn’t know that there existed such Olympic Committees and it will start to activate, construct such complexes for the Azerbaijani youth. This is an
important event. I sincerly congratulate you on this occasion. I think that a few months later, you will be able to appreciate the benefits of the Nakhchivan Olympic Complex better. It is a great present to you and Nakhchivan. The author of this present is the National Olympic Committee of Azerbaijan.

There are no merits of the government or the state. We did not interfere in this issue and did not spend any money. I speak on behalf of the state. The complex is founded only on the initiative of the National Olympic Committee of Azerbaijan and its President, Ilham Aliyev...”