AZERBAIJAN PRESIDENT ILHAM ALIYEV MEETS IN ATHENS WITH OLYMPIC CHAMPION FARID MANSUROV
Congratulating the winner, who had gained the fist gold medal for the Olympic team of Azerbaijan, the Head of State described the wrestler’s vivid victory as a very remarkable event in the history of the Azerbaijani sports.
ILHAM ALIYEV: It is Farid who has gained the first gold medal for our team. He did it under rather hard conditions. His rivals were very strong, Olympic and world champs. Farid, you have brought a great holiday to Azerbaijan. This is a really great holiday, the holiday for the whole Azerbaijani people. This demonstrates power of Azerbaijan, level of sport development. Not only level of sport development, but also that of our country’s, its glory.
ABBAS ABBASOV (Deputy Prime Minister, President of Wrestling Federation of Azerbaijan): Mr. President, the achievements are a product of your personal attitude to sports, your hard work and huge efforts in this direction.
ILHAM ALIYEV: I used to say that we have unity in sports. All - federations, sport societies, Ministry and Olympic Committee - are operating as a united structure. In most countries, the situation is different; there are confrontations or even collisions between them. And this unity is one of the reasons for our success. Of course, the personal role of Farid and his coaches was great as well. This is the second time, the second Olympic games that the Wrestling Federation brings gold medal to Azerbaijan, and we hope this tradition will be continued.
ABULFAZ GARAYEV (Minister of Youth, Sports and Tourism): Mr. President, there have never been an Olympic champion in Greco-Roman wrestling in the history Azerbaijani sport.
ILHAM ALIYEV: Yes, it’s the first time. I remember our three wrestlers fighting in Sidney. Two of them were invitees, as I recall. But Farid is our own product, the alumnus of the Azerbaijani sport school. Besides, he is young, is 22 years old. This is exactly what shows the level of sports development. Children’s and teens’ sport is very important. No successful athlete can grow without that.
ABBAS ABBASOV: Mr. President, now Farid is 22. With God's help, he will be 26 in Peking, and more experienced.
ILHAM ALIYEV: We will have more victories in Peking.
ABBAS ABBASOV: Mr. President, let me as President of the Wrestling Federation express to You as President of the National Olympic Committee and the Head of State my deep gratitude for the care you have been showing about sport. Sport is not only a profession, but also means health of our nation, young and future generations. Your staying here today, your care about the athletes is a great pride for every Azerbaijani.
Out of 202 countries participating in the Games, only 61 have gained medals. Unlike the previous Games, Azerbaijan has already won 4 bronze and one gold i.e. 5 medals.
ILHAM ALIYEV: Indeed, sport is rapidly developing in Azerbaijan. Every condition has been created for that. Sport is acquiring a mass character. When I started to preside over the National Olympic Committee, Farid was 15. Did he go in for sport then?
ELCHIN JAFAROV (Chief Coach): Mr. President, then he was among teen wrestlers.
ILHAM ALIYEV: Yes, all the international tournaments including European and World Championships held in Azerbaijan among both youth and mature athletes play very important role. This is an indication of the level of sports development.
I would also like to mention Mehman Azizov. He was very good and very close to victory. Movlud Miraliyev ranked fourth as well. Turan Mirzayev in weightlifting also took fourth place. These are great results. I have to mention those who did not won medals too. Although they failed to gain medals they worthily represented our country.
ABULFAZ GARAYEV: Mr. President, our athletes are performing very well. I mean our team’s level is generally high, so, if there is a good basis it is possible to win medals.
ABBAS ABBASOV: Mr. President, you know that no weak sportsmen participate in the Olympic games. All the countries are represented by their strongest athletes i.e. ours did their best.
ABULFAZ GARAYEV: Mr. President, unfortunately, our principal Rhythmic Gymnast had injured. But our reserve athlete represented Azerbaijan quite well.
ABBAS ABBASOV: Mr. President, yesterday Farid sang our national anthem when performed. Namig Abdullayed did the same in Sidney.
FARID MANSUROV: Mr. President, this is the greatest dream of every athlete.
ILHAM ALIYEV: Of course, there is no greater joy than a national anthem performed in your honor!
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