Armenian Olympic Team Returns Home with Medals and Mixed Emotions

The Armenian Olympic team arrived back in Yerevan today, greeted by a large crowd of enthusiastic fans at Zvartnots International Airport. The excitement was felt as supporters gathered to welcome their national heroes, who had represented Armenia on the grand stage of the Paris Olympics. The Armenian Report’s team was also on-site to capture the team's return and conduct interviews with the athletes.

Among the returning Olympians were Artur Aleksanyan, Malkhas Amoyan, Varazdat Lalayan, Slavik Galstyan, Arsen Harutyunyan, Vazgen Tevanyan, Andranik Karapetyan, Garik Karapetyan, and Artur Barseghyan. These athletes brought home a total of three medals – and gymnast Artur Davtyan has already returned home with his silver medal. 

Artur Aleksanyan, a renowned wrestler and two-time Olympic silver medalist, was among those who returned with a silver medal. Speaking to The Armenian Report, Aleksanyan expressed mixed feelings about the outcome. He had aimed for the gold but had to settle for silver. However, he remains hopeful as an appeal regarding his final match is currently under review by the Olympic Committee.

"The Olympic Committee is currently studying the video of the match. Everything is visible in the video. There was a similar situation before, not at the Olympic Games but at the World Championship," Aleksanyan said. "I can't fully express my emotions right now because I wanted a different color medal."

Despite not achieving the gold, Aleksanyan's performance was highly commendable, and he remains one of Armenia's most celebrated athletes.

Malkhas Amoyan, another star of the Armenian wrestling team, also shared his thoughts upon returning home. Amoyan, a Greco-Roman wrestler, secured a bronze medal in what was his first appearance at the Olympics. Although he was proud to bring home a medal, Amoyan expressed a strong desire to improve and strive for gold in future competitions.

"I wouldn't say that my inexperience hindered me. I was fully prepared to be recognized as the winner, but I couldn't arrange my wrestling correctly and secured a bronze medal," Amoyan told reporters. "I will prepare for the next Olympic Games, but before that, there will be European and World Championships. I don't want to look too far ahead, but this time it didn't work out. Next time, I will try to change the color of my medal to gold."

Amoyan’s determination and focus on future successes resonated with many of his supporters. "Thank God, I was able to return with a medal. Perhaps this bronze is what I deserved at this moment. I prepared for this, so I can't say that I am completely happy because my goal was different, but thank God, at least I was able to return to my homeland with a medal."

In total, Armenia brought home four medals from the 2024 Paris Olympics; three silver and one bronze medal.