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Austrian swimmer Vanessa Sahinovic, who was injured during an accident before the start of the European Games in Baku, currently is paraplegic and has not received a compensation so far, the Austrian newspaper Der Standard writes.

It is noted that the 16-year-old swimmer has been undergoing treatment for 13 months. In 2015, she had to perform in the Austrian synchronized swimmingteam. The accident happened the day before the European Games opening ceremony. A bus hit three members of the Austrian team, Sahinovic among them. As a result of the accident, she received serious injuries and was paralyzed.

The newspaper highlights that according to the Austrian Olympic Committee’s statements, the European Games organizers promised a generous compensation to the girl’s family. They particularly mentioned that the swimmer would get monthly financial aid for six years. According to the lawyer of the Sahinovic family, the Azerbaijani authorities have recently beenspending huge amounts of money on sport events for “polishing the country’s image,” and they mustkeep their promise.

He also said that Vanessa’s family needs themoney for continuing her treatment, and the compensation will help them very much in that respect. The girl’s parents believe in a miracle and hope that their daughter will walk again.

On June 11, Austrian Olympic officials said three representatives from the Austrian team, teenage synchronized swimmers that had arrived in Baku for the European Games, were hospitalized after being hit by a shuttle bus on the sidewalk in the athletes’ village. One of them, Vanessa Sahinovic had multiple fractures and other severe injuries. She was transported to Vienna on air ambulance for neurological treatment. Luna Pajer injured both of her arms. She was also taken to Vienna.

On 12-28 June, Baku is hosting the first European Games under the auspices of the European Olympic Committee. According to media estimates, the Games will cost the Azerbaijani population $10 billion.

However, they have become a serious headache for the locals with numerous bans and demolition of property. The preparatory works for the Games are accompanied by crackdowns and brutal repressions against dissent.