From Armenia in brief: Armenia celebrates its bronze heroes

by Armen Hakobyan

Published: Saturday August 30, 2008

President Sargsian and Olympic athletes at a celebration in Yerevan.

Yerevan - In the early evening hours of August 26, thousands of Armenians gathered in Republic Square to pay homage to Armenia's six bronze medalists and the rest of Armenia's Olympic team who had participated in the XXIX Summer Olympic Games in Beijing.

Three of Armenia's bronze medalists are weightlifters. Their head coach Ashod Mnatsaganian was very emotional when he spoke to the Armenian Reporter: "Now my conscience is at rest and my soul happy. When our weightlifting team returned from the European championships last year as the European champions, it would have been difficult to imagine that they wouldn't have a good showing at the Olympics. It was indeed a bright victory. Armenia's weightlifting team, with its medals, holds the third place in the world. It is a holiday, a happy day but we must press ahead. And the way they have honored and welcomed us here today, our pride has reached its pinnacle and it is natural, and that means we have to answer to all of this."

Olympic bronze medalist weightlifter Tigran V. ­Martirosyan, addressed the thousands gathered in the square on behalf of his fellow athletes: "I am very happy, that through our performance we were able to provide moments of pride and happiness to our people. Our country is small, but with its actions is able to remind big countries of its presence. I want to express my thanks to the leader of our country, the chairman of the Armenian Olympic Committee and our people for their attention and welcome."

Armenian President Serge Sargsian welcomed the Olympians. "It was only a few days ago that you were our country's ambassadors in the global sporting arena. You accomplished your mission with honor, in the process garnering six Olympic medals. Thanks to your sacrifice and determination, you returned the joy of Olympic success to our people, and brought our country new achievements in sport. Billions of people from every continent on the planet witnessed you, not only in persistent competition, but also on the podium of honor. People, who had perhaps never heard of Armenia before, saw its flag that would occasionally be raised in honor of you and our country. Thanks to you, Armenia became more recognizable."

A festive concert followed all the speeches in Republic Square. The athletes stayed to talk to all the reporters and their fans late into the night.