Ovtcharov is currently ranked at number six in the world and has enjoyed success at Olympic level, winning silver as part of the German team at Beijing 2008 before adding team and individual bronze to his growing medal collection at London 2012.

Vougiouka, who competes in the women's sabre discipline, also has a world ranking of six and won World Cup gold in 2010, as well as winning the European title in 2012 and again in 2013.

Both athletes will be involved in marketing campaigns for the eagerly-anticipated European Games, scheduled for June 12 to 28, and will help promote the event in their home countries.

"The first European Games are a great opportunity to raise the profile of table tennis and for the sport to win new fans," Ovtcharov said.

"It's also wonderful to be involved in a new major sporting event which will bring the continent together.

"I can't wait for the Games to begin, and am looking forward to promoting them in the build-up to the Opening Ceremony."

Vassiliki Vougiouka will also help spread the Baku 2015 message in her role as international athlete ambassador ©Baku 2015



Vougiouka is also anticipating an excellent multi-sport event in Azerbaijan, and said she is honoured to take on the athlete ambassadorial role.

"Fencing is a popular European sport, so as a fencer it is a great honour to have been invited to promote the first European Games in Baku," she added.

"I have been fortunate enough to compete all over the world so I know how sport brings people together, and I will do my best to spread the Baku 2015 message in the months ahead."

Both athletes join a growing list of sports people, which includes Ireland's London 2012 Olympic boxing champion Katie Taylor and Great Britain's taekwondo gold medallist Jade Jones, who are now associated with Baku 2015.

Also on the list are French gymnast Kseniya Moustafaeva, Denmark's canoe sprinter René Holten Poulsen and Serbia's 3x3 basketball team - Dušan Domović Bulut, Marko Savic, Marko Zdero and Dejan Majstorovic,

"Being able to welcome further international athlete ambassadors of this calibre reflects the importance of this new event on the sporting calendar," Simon Clegg, chief operating officer of Baku 2015, said.

"I am sure both Dimitrij and Vassiliki will very much enjoy promoting the Games and playing an important role in the development of European sport."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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