Armenian athletes’ participation in European Games: varied responses
The list of Armenian athletes who are expected to participate in the European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan, June 12-28, has been published, and social networks are actively discussing the issue of whether Armenian athletes should participate in the European Games.
Renowned Armenian athletes, particularly Levon Julfalakyan, show varied responses to the planned participation of Armenian athletes.
The opponents argue that Azerbaijan does not meet the requirements for holding European Games in terms of either geography or way of thinking. Rather, it is seeking to resolve the problem of its worsening reputation.
Tert.am interviewed a number of public and political figures about the controversial issue.
In response to Tert.am’s question public figure and writer Zori Balayan said:
“I believe that it would be a sacrilege if an Armenian listened to [Azerbaijani President Ilham] Aliyev’s opening speech and had to stand up to listen to that state’s national anthem.”
Sasun Mikaelyan, ex-commander of the Sasun detachment, told Tert.am that he is unaware of “art of diplomacy.”
Expert in PR technologies Vigen Hakobyan is not for Armenian athletes’ participation in the upcoming European Games in Baku.
Their participation could be justified if it could be justified in terms of sport.
“I do not think that our participation can be justified in terms of sport and we should run such a risk for political interests,” he said.
Of important is also the fact that Armenian athletes participating in sporting events in Baku come under great psychological pressure. By participating in the European Games in Baku Armenian athletes would promote Azerbaijan’s PR.
“I do not see any preconditions for our national flag to be hoisted every day. I see only political aims. I think our country took on commitments, but not before sports authorities, to participate in the Games. And this fact is being concealed for sports reasons,” Mr Hakobyan said.
Former editor of the Yerkir newspaper, member of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Dashnaktsutyun (ARF-D) party Bagrat Yesayan believes that Armenian athletes should participate in the European Games. According to him, they should do it to advertise their own country.
“When Ilham Aliyev is doing his utmost and states he will keep on doing his best – event at the NGO level – to prevent any contacts between Armenia and Azerbaijan. He is consistently putting obstacles to Azerbaijani NGOs coming to Armenia, whereas we have no problems like that,” Mr Yesayan said.
The Armenian side believes that peace will one day be established and both Armenia and Azerbaijan will be prepared for peace.
“When a peace agreement is reached, it is another question. But is the sides follow the road of enmity, it will continue even after an agreement has been reached.”
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