President of the European Olympic Committees Patrick Hickey has revealed that seven candidates have so far come forward to host the 2019 European Games.
Following the Netherlands' recent withdrawal to stage the event in two years' time, it was not known if the competition had a future beyond its inaugural event in Azerbaijan.
However, Hickey says that the success of the Games so far has seen more nations put their name into the hat.
"We have gone back to the five candidates we dealt with [originally], but with the success of these Games two new candidates have come in addition so we have riches now from which to choose," he told reporters.
"We had six in the beginning, but the Netherlands fell by the wayside so that left five. We have now two additional candidates so now there are seven. But there will be no decision for a while.
"Two of the original five said 2023, so we brought them back to 2019, but others have asked to reopen talks."
Hickey refused to confirm if Turkey, as previously reported, were one of those looking to host the competition.
Baku coordination commission chairman Spyros Capralos said earlier this week that he felt Baku could successfully stage the Olympic Games in the near future.
Daniel Lewis
