Salyan has become the next destination for the inaugural European Games Journey of the Flame, arriving from Jalilabad.

Torchbearers received a rapturous welcome from local residents upon arrival at the entrance gate of Salyan.

At the gate, the flame was passed to kickboxing coach Rahil Isgandarov. Ten torchbearers then started their 3.2km long route and carried the flame into the Heydar Aliyev park in the city center to the sound of wild applause. Student at Salyan city secondary school No. 1 Zarkhanim Aghabayova lit a special commemorative lamp which will remain lit and on display in Salyan until the Closing Ceremony of the Games.

The flame will next travel to Neftchala.

Baku was awarded the Games by the European Olympic Committees (EOC) in December 2012. The Baku European Games Operations Committee (BEGOC) will organise and run the Games in co-operation with the EOC.

There will be a total of 20 sports at Baku 2015: 16 Olympic sports and four non-Olympic sports. More than 6,000 athletes from across Europe will be representing their nations over 17 days of competition.