Legendary Armenian gymnast Albert Azaryan marks 80th birthdayFebruary 11, 2009 - 16:29 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - President of the Armenian Olympic Gymnastics Federation Albert Azaryan is marking his 80th birthday today."I receive congratulations all day long. I feel perfect, as if I am 40. I haven't received presents yet but I do not like presents, to tell the truth. There is nothing better than congratulations from relatives and friends," Azaryan said in a conversation with a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter. "Today, I received a congratulation message from the President of Armenia. When I was 70, I received congratulation from late Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan. Then-President Robert Kocharian congratulated me on the 75th birthday. This year, President of the Olympic Committee Gagik Tsarukyan promised to organize an event dedicated to my jubilee on February 17. As to future plans, you know that our gymnasts did not participate in the Beijing Olympiad. Now, we are training sportsmen for the next Olympiad due in London in 2012," he said. Albert Azaryan (born February 11, 1929 in Yerevan) is an Armenian artistic gymnast who competed internationally representing the Soviet Union. He is the 1956 and 1960 Olympic champion on the still rings. He was the first person to do one of the most famous exercises on the rings called the Iron Cross, Crucifix, or Azarian Cross in an international competition. He is the 1954 and 1958 World Champion on the rings and 1958 silver medalist on the horizontal bar. Top stories Armenian gymnast, Olympic bronze medalist Artur Davtyan has reached the finals of the World Cup. Gor Manvelyan has denied reports alleging that he has expressed a desire to one day play for the French national team. Roma midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan is not considering FC Spartak Moscow as his next haven, according to fresh reports. 10 Armenian lifters will compete in the 2021 World Championships scheduled to be held from 7 to 17 December in Tashkent. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Azerbaijan must respect human rights, Scholz tells Aliyev German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called for greater respect for human rights in Azerbaijan. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. |