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GO OR STAY: ARMENIAN ATHLETES WEIGH DECISION ON COMPETING IN BAKU
SPORTS | 17.03.15 | 14:56
http://armenianow.com/sports/61492/european_games_armenian_national_olympic_committee
Alina Nikoghosyan
ArmeniaNow intern
Despite the unwillingness of some sportsmen to participate in the
European Games to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, sambo and judo athletes
and representatives say that Armenia will take part in the games,
although the full staff is not fixed yet.
On March 10 the Armenian National Olympic Committee (ANOC) decided
that Armenian sportsmen will participate in the first-ever summer
European games this year to be held June 12-28 in Azerbaijani capital.
Sportsmen are mostly concerned whether their safety could be guaranteed
in "enemy territory".
"First, one thing is to provide security, and a different thing is
to organize everything so that Armenian sportsmen are able to have
the best possible performance. I was in Baku in person in 2007, and
I felt it all on my skin," said Arsen Julfalakyan a Europe and World
Champion wrestler.
The wrestler also said athletes question whether they will be treated
fairly in sports that require subjective judging.
On this account, President of the International Olympic Committee
(IOC) Thomas Bach told President Serzh Sargsyan that everything will
be done to provide all necessary conditions for the Armenian sportsmen
and their coaches in the host country.
The president of Armenian Federation of sambo (a mix of
wrestling/martial arts), Levon Hayrapetyan thinks that, despite all,
Armenian sportsmen must go to Baku.
"We have to participate in Baku games, we have a fighting spirit,
none of our sportsmen is afraid to go to Baku," Hayrapetyan said
adding that 8 spots were allocated in his sport.
When the Armenian National Olympic Committee agreed to sanction teams
for the European Games, it did so with the provision that individual
athletes could decide for themselves whether to participate, with
a guarantee that their status at home would not be affected by the
decision. Depending on who decides to go, Armenia could be represented
in boxing, wrestling, sambo, judo, taekwondo and shooting.
Addressing the question whether fair competition is possible,
deputy president of Judo Federation Davit Khitaryan said that in all
competitions there exists unfairness.
"There is injustice everywhere and Baku will be no exception,"
Khitaryan said.
While the question of Armenian sportsmen going to Baku is being
discussed, the Azerbaijani men's team of chess refused to participate
in World Team Championship in Armenia.
SPORTS | 17.03.15 | 14:56
http://armenianow.com/sports/61492/european_games_armenian_national_olympic_committee
Alina Nikoghosyan
ArmeniaNow intern
Despite the unwillingness of some sportsmen to participate in the
European Games to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, sambo and judo athletes
and representatives say that Armenia will take part in the games,
although the full staff is not fixed yet.
On March 10 the Armenian National Olympic Committee (ANOC) decided
that Armenian sportsmen will participate in the first-ever summer
European games this year to be held June 12-28 in Azerbaijani capital.
Sportsmen are mostly concerned whether their safety could be guaranteed
in "enemy territory".
"First, one thing is to provide security, and a different thing is
to organize everything so that Armenian sportsmen are able to have
the best possible performance. I was in Baku in person in 2007, and
I felt it all on my skin," said Arsen Julfalakyan a Europe and World
Champion wrestler.
The wrestler also said athletes question whether they will be treated
fairly in sports that require subjective judging.
On this account, President of the International Olympic Committee
(IOC) Thomas Bach told President Serzh Sargsyan that everything will
be done to provide all necessary conditions for the Armenian sportsmen
and their coaches in the host country.
The president of Armenian Federation of sambo (a mix of
wrestling/martial arts), Levon Hayrapetyan thinks that, despite all,
Armenian sportsmen must go to Baku.
"We have to participate in Baku games, we have a fighting spirit,
none of our sportsmen is afraid to go to Baku," Hayrapetyan said
adding that 8 spots were allocated in his sport.
When the Armenian National Olympic Committee agreed to sanction teams
for the European Games, it did so with the provision that individual
athletes could decide for themselves whether to participate, with
a guarantee that their status at home would not be affected by the
decision. Depending on who decides to go, Armenia could be represented
in boxing, wrestling, sambo, judo, taekwondo and shooting.
Addressing the question whether fair competition is possible,
deputy president of Judo Federation Davit Khitaryan said that in all
competitions there exists unfairness.
"There is injustice everywhere and Baku will be no exception,"
Khitaryan said.
While the question of Armenian sportsmen going to Baku is being
discussed, the Azerbaijani men's team of chess refused to participate
in World Team Championship in Armenia.