The 33rd Summer Olympic Games are starting today in Paris, the capital of France.

Artur Aleksanyan

One of the most title-winning athletes of the Armenian national team, Greco-Roman wrestler, gold, silver, bronze medalist of the Olympic Games, 7-time European and four-time world champion Artur Aleksanyan is leaving for Paris in pursuit of a double Olympic championship.

- Artur, you will participate in your 4th Olympic Games, a record. What makes Paris-2024 special for you?

- For me, all the Olympic Games and all the tournaments I participated in are special. I will fight for the gold medal and championship at these Olympic Games.

- When you win all possible titles in sports, what is the motivation to go forward and continue?

- I feel that I have that opportunity to fight and win. Maybe that's what motivates me. I approach any tournament, no matter how many times I've won it, as if I'm going to win it for the first time.

- Do you have something to prove to yourself in Paris?

- No, I think I have proved everything a long time ago. I enjoy the sport. I feel I can participate well.   

- What is the mood, and what are your expectations from the 33rd Olympic Games?

-Everything is fine: I'm in good shape now. We trained well and held effective training sessions all year. It's true that I have minor injuries, but they don't bother me that much. I hope to be in even better shape before the Olympics.

- What would you say about our Olympic team participating in Paris-2024?

- In the previous three Olympic Games, we were always more in quantity, but now we have perhaps the best team in terms of quality. I hope we will come back with many medals. All are medal contenders and deserve top spots.

- And what is the atmosphere of the Olympic Games like?

- Everything that will happen there is already standard for me. Perhaps that's also why these will be my 4th Olympic Games. The tension was very high in the first games, now I'm calmer.

- You won the Olympic Games championship in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro. What memories do you have?

- Rio will always be with me for my whole life. I would like Paris-2024 to be like that.

- What kind of competition do you expect in Paris-2024, considering the fact that you are familiar with all your competitors, and they all know you well?

- There are no random athletes at the Olympic Games. You must earn a rank to be eligible to participate. Can't single out anyone. If a wrestler has reached the Olympics, then he is one of the strongest. If everything goes well, I will have four matches, and all four will be like finals for me.

- I wonder how hard it is to prepare for the next competition after each of your victories? Does the thought that expectations from you are only in the form of gold cause some tension?

- Of course, there is such a thing. But I think the experience helps you get in the right mood and not let the tension get in your way.

- How does the emotion that you are a motivation and a source of inspiration for several generations change with age?

- Of course, I try to serve as an example for the younger generation to help with my advice during and outside training.

- Not only in your native Gyumri, but also throughout Armenia and the Diaspora, everyone knows you and feels sorry for you. How does this make you feel?

- Of course, it's very nice. In every tournament, I feel that I represent a whole country and nation. I have always felt great support from all our compatriots, for which I am very grateful.

- What do you think, to what extent do your generation's successes contribute to a more significant number of children wanting to engage in wrestling, including in Gyumri?

- After each tournament, more and more children start attending our sports school. Our wins make the kids more excited to come to practice.

- Do we have a problem involving children, or is the interest in sports sufficient?

- I think we have a problem not with interest, but with infrastructure and conditions. Now a large sports complex is being built in Gyumri, which our sports city needs very much. Perhaps in a year we will have a serious sports complex in accordance with international standards, where it will be possible to hold competitions and gatherings from a number of sports. I think this will be an excellent stimulus for the development of wrestling and other sports in Gyumri.

- I wonder how much the state's and society's attitude towards Olympians has changed since your first Olympic Games.

- I think both the state and the society have always been by our side and supported us in every way.

- And how much has Artur Aleksanyan changed as an athlete and person during this time?

- I think I have not changed as a person. As an athlete, my victories have increased, and my experience has improved. I'm calmer now.

- Has the excitement decreased with experience?

- Yes. Everything comes from experience.

Blitz

- Which legendary athlete would you like to spend a whole day with?

- It's not a whole day, but there are many athletes with whom I would like to communicate and receive advice.

- The best, most valuable advice you've ever been given.

- Don't get depressed and fight until the end.

- What is the most essential thing in life for you?

-My family.

- The rules of your life.

- There are none. For me, life is a struggle. We must always fight.

- What are you afraid of?

- I have no fears.

- What do you believe in?

- God.

- What would be the title of the book about you?

- It could have many titles.

- A question you would like to answer but have never been asked.

- I think all the questions have been asked.