Armenian Community in Vancouver Honors Olympians

5/armenian-community-in-vancouver-honors-olympians /
By Antranig Dereyan – on March 5, 2010

Armenian Weekly sports correspondent Antranig Dereyan reports from Vancouver.

VANCOUVER, Canada (A.W.) – The 21st Winter Olympic Games came to a close
on Sun., Feb 28. But Team Armenia had to take care of two more things
before they could attend the Closing Ceremony at BC Place: Arsen
Nersisyan’s run in the slalom, and gathering with fellow Armenians at
St. Vartan Church in Vancouver.

Nersisyan was ready and focused at the top of the mountain before his
run, but he was disqualified before his run `because coming out of the
starting gate, my skies parted,’ he told the Armenian Weekly after the
race.

Rule 629 of the International Ski Federation’s rulebook covers
`improper gate movement’ – a vague term, but Nersisyan fit the profile.
It would be an unfortunate end to his Olympic experience, especially
after his fall at the giant slalom a couple of days prior.

Yet, on the night of the Feb. 27, any feelings of frustrations, any
sad faces were turned into feelings of jubilation and smiles, as
Armenians of all ages came to the St. Vartan Church to meet their
team.

`[Armenia’s] participation in the Olympics – which brings all the
nations together, as a place of fellowship, friendship, and
competition – and having a Winter Olympic team in Vancouver makes us
extremely proud. We’re seeing our country grow in many directions,
especially in the sports field,’ said Bishop Bagrat Galstanian,
Primate of the Armenian Church of Canada.

The athletes were mingling with the delegation in the meeting hall,
also known as the eating area and performance space, signing
autographs and having a great time.

On stage, Edward Grigoryan, the St. Vartan community representative,
gave a speech about what the team meant to its people, and showed a
video clip of Armenia’s flag rising during the first days of the
Games.

`The journey getting here wasn’t easy. I live in San Francisco and
ever since I was 5-years-old, I have been skiing,’ said Olympics
alpine skier Ani-Matilda Serebrakian, whose dual citizenship allowed
her to ski for Armenia. `Almost every year, Lake Tahoe is where I ski.
That has been consistent for the last 20 years and all the hard work
finally paid off.’

To be an Olympian is hard, but there is more to it. `One must be
dedicated to their sport,’ added Serebrakian.

Sergey Mikayelyan, the youngest of the group, was busy the entire
night greeting people, signing autographs, and posing for pictures.
When informed that NBC had spoken about him during one of his
cross-country runs, he said with a smile, `I didn’t know, no one told
me after my run or before, but I am glad to hear of it.’

Grigoryan and Keghart Garabedian, the Archpriest of St. Vartan Church,
handed each Olympian a plaque, inscribed with their names, as well as
special presents for the two women of the team.

Then, it was time to head back home and get ready for the Closing Ceremony.

`I’ve been in Vancouver since 1994 and at this church since the very
beginning,’ said churchgoer Artka Dardinian at the Closing Ceremony
the next night, where the Armenian flag was on full display. `To see
our flag at the Vancouver Olympics, the participation made me happy,
for myself and my country, and it was great to see them here, talking
with us.’

On March 1, Team Armenia boarded their planes to return home.

In 2014, the Winter Olympic Games will be held in Sochi, Russia and
Team Armenia will once again be represented – but next time, they’ll be
more prepared and experienced, in the hope of bringing back some
medals.