18 ARMENIAN SPORTSMEN TO PARTICIPATE IN ATHENIAN OLYMPIC GAMES

YEREVAN, August 10 (Noyan Tapan). “You should know that behind of you
there is the country, the people expecting successes of you.” With
such words RA President Robert Kocharian turned to Armenian sportsmen
and coaches leaving for Athens to participate in the Olympic Games.
he President noticed that the great hopes are pined on them. According
to Ishkhan Zakarian, Chairman of the Armenian Olympic Committee, 18
sportsmen in 9 sports will represent Armenia in the Olympic Games.
Part of them is already in Athens. It is expected that the Armenian
sportsmen will occupy honorary places especially in the competitions
on weight-lifting, wrestling, boxing. It was noticed that Olympic
champion Albert Azarian will be given the honor of carrying the
Armenian banner during the solemn ceremony of the opening of the Games
to be held on August 13. It was also mentioned that 4 disabled
sportsmen will participate in the Para-Olympic Games starting in
Athens on September 19. They will participate in the competitions on
swimming, athletics, weight-lifting and archery. RA President Robert
Kocharian will be also within the delegation leaving for Athens with
the purpose of rendering moral support to Armenian sportsmen.