Gymnast Artur Davtyan Returns Home with Olympic Silver Medal & Vows to Win Gold in Los Angeles

The atmosphere was electric as fans gathered at Yerevan’s Zvartnots Airport to welcome back their national heroes, gymnasts Artur Davtyan and Vahagn Davtyan. Welcomed with prayers, lively dhol-zurna music, and traditional Armenian dances, the returning Olympians were greeted with open arms and immense pride.

Artur Davtyan, a silver medalist in gymnastics, spoke to The Armenian Report about his recent Olympic experience and his unwavering determination to achieve his ultimate goal – winning a gold medal. “I am only missing the gold medal. I will do everything to complete that,” he said, expressing a mix of happiness and determination.

Reflecting on his journey, Artur shared that although he felt a tinge of sadness at first due to his strong desire to win gold, he is proud of his progress. He improved his performance from the Tokyo Olympics, where he had secured a bronze medal, to now winning a silver in Paris. “But it's a sport; anything could have happened. I could not have won a place at all. In this case, I improved my result even more, from bronze to silver. I will win gold at the Olympic Games to be held in America. I will do everything by God's will,” he stated with resolve.

The gymnast acknowledged that while there were chances to win a gold medal in Paris, the height of his jump was a critical factor. “In this case, I think the height of my jump was not enough because the Filipino's jump was four-tenths higher than mine. Also, the Filipino's second jump was high. It wasn’t just me; it wasn’t just our coaches,” Artur explained. He emphasized the need to work harder to enhance his performance, highlighting the competitive nature of the sport.

Artur also expressed his gratitude for the support he received from Armenian fans. “I felt the support of Armenian fans and was happy to return home with a medal. There were many people, there were sportsmen, and my brothers came from Germany. It's nice to see your brothers and relatives there,” he said, his voice filled with warmth and appreciation.

On August 4, Artur Davtyan proudly clinched the silver medal in the pole vault final at the 33rd Olympic Games in Paris, scoring 14,966 points. The gold medal was awarded to Carlos Adriel Yulo from the Philippines, while Harry Hepworth from Great Britain took home the bronze. Fellow Armenian gymnast Vahagn Davtyan also showcased a commendable performance, securing the 6th place in the rings exercise.

The Olympic Games, held in Paris from July 26 to August 11, saw 15 athletes representing Armenia. Overcoming the qualification stage, the Armenian gymnasts advanced to the final stage of the competition, making their nation proud with their remarkable achievements.

Artur Davtyan’s journey from bronze to silver has only fueled his ambition to achieve gold. With unwavering dedication and the support of his fans and loved ones, he is determined to reach the pinnacle of success at the next Olympic Games in America. As he continues to push his limits, Armenians around the world eagerly watching, anticipating the moment when Artur Davtyan will stand atop the podium with a gold medal around his neck.