FIGURE SKATER PIERRE BALIAN WANTS TO REPRESENT ARMENIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
06.02.2009 16:24 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Pierre Balian, an ethnic Armenian, who is among
U.S. top figure skaters, announced intention to represent Armenia at
international championships.

"Balian has already requested the Armenian government for an
Armenian passport. We are awaiting the governmental decision,"
Samvel Khachatryan, the President of the Armenian Figure Skating
Federation said.

Balian was trained by renowned Irina Rodnina and Alexey Mishin.

"If everything goes well, Pierre will represent Armenia at the World
Championship in Los Angeles on March 23-29. Otherwise, another Armenian
figure skater Gegham Vardanyan will depart for the United States,"
Khachatryan said.

Balian is 25 already. Figure skaters usually finish career at 25-27.