Oil crisis takes shine off Azerbaijan's lavish sports events

Fireworks explode during the closing ceremony of the 1st European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan, in this June 28, 2015 file photo. REUTERS/Stoyan Nenov/Files

MOSCOW (Reuters) - When oil exporter Azerbaijan signed up to host its first ever Formula One Grand Prix this year along an esplanade in its capital, the government promoted it as an opportunity to showcase the country's new confidence.

Now, with the economy in a state of crisis and police in some parts of the country using tear gas to disperse protesters, a sporting extravaganza that attracts the world's super-rich is jarring with the public mood.