The first Pan-Armenian Winter Games are over. Out of the Diaspora Armenian participants, the athletes from Tbilisi performed quite well and managed to score a gold medal.

In an interview with “Hayern Aysor”, member of the executive committee of the World Committee of the Pan-Armenian Games, leader of Tbilisi’s delegation Gurgen Heyranov mentioned that the Games went well. “As a member of the executive committee, I tried to do everything possible to make sure that these Games were held at the highest level. Our goals were realistic, but it would never cross our minds that the Games would bring together nearly 400 athletes. I think the Games went well.”

True, the Pan-Armenian Games are something new, but according to Mr. Heyranov, the main point is to bring Armenians living in different parts of the world together through sports. “These days the participants of the Games were able to not only compete, but also spend time together and establish new contacts. It’s also nice to see that the athletes of Armenia and the Diaspora were high-profile athletes. The important thing is that Armenia has a place called Tsakhkadzor with its wonderful nature and where the Pan-Armenian Winter Games will be held from now on once every four years.”

Nearly 20 representatives of Tbilisi and Bakuryani participated in the first Pan-Armenian Winter Games. “We achieved high results. One of our strongest athletes is 13-year old Tamara Barbaryan. She is small, but very talented. The others are also very strong, including Nikolo Kozanashvili-Ohannesyan, Gevorg Kurdoglyan, David Minasyan, Gurgen Akopov, David Akopov, Samvel Khachatryan, Dennis Janashvili and others.

Our team had both athletes and artists. The sisters Meyrabova are famous pianists and are also mountain skiers.

The important thing is not the medals. The important thing is unity. In the end, Armenians win, be it Armenians from Armenia, Iran or Russia,” said Gurgen Heyranov in closing.

L. Abrahamyan

Tsakhkadzor