Although at first it might seem surprising that weightlifting would be the protagonists in a winter sports competition, in Armenia, during the second edition of the Pan Armenian Winter Games, that was exactly what happened.
The Pan-Armenian Games are a complex of competitions in individual and team sports among athletes of Armenia and athletes of Armenian origin from other countries. The athletes from various parts of the world represent the cities in which they come from and not countries like other pan-games. The Pan Armenian Games take place mainly in Yerevan, but this years’ edition took place in Jermuk. The second edition of the Games, held between February 01 and 07, has brought together 1348 athletes from 88 cities in 18 countries.
During the Opening Ceremony of this competition, it was even the recently elected President of the National Weightlifting Federation himself who, in his capacity as Chairman of the Governmental Organizing Committee of the Pan Armenian Games has addressed a very warm welcome speech to all the participants: “The opening ceremony has proven that we have achieved the goal. In the coming days, our athletes will compete in various sports to determine the best. Just as in the Olympic Games, participation is what matters most in the second Pan-Armenian Winter Games.”
After, on the torch relay route, the flame was several times in the hands of renowned weightlifters, including Aleksandra Grigoryan and Emma Poghosyan, both medalists at European and world championships, the Games’ torch was lit by Olympic silver medalist in Paris 2024, European and world Champion Varazdat Lalayan. It should be also mentioned that these weightlifters were declared to be among the best athletes of Armenia in 2024.
The Pan-Armenian Winter Games ended today with another impressive closing ceremony and a resounding success highlighted by all participants and the Organizing Committee, and the participation in the ceremonies of this event by so many representatives of Armenian weightlifting is certainly proof of the importance given to our sport in this country.