Ossetian pride at London gold

Pavel Martynov. Exclusively to VK

The London Olympic Games brought 82 medals to Russia, nine of which were gained by North Ossetian athletes. The Alani defended Russian reputation in Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling, power-lifting and trek-an-field sports, fencing, and equestrianism. The head of the North Ossetian republic, Taimuraz Mamsurov, called all Olympic champions and their coaches. Wrestlers Alan Hugayev, Rustam Totrov, and Besik Kudukhov, power-lifters Svetlana Tsarukayeva and Ruslan Albegov, foil fencer Aida Shanayeva was told: “The Olympics are not only a great event, it is an inspection of sporting culture of the planet. To qualify through such “a severe sieve” is a big achievement. Even participation itself is a success of a nation. I’m proud with my people. 18 Ossetians participated in the Olympic Games and defended sporting image of 8 countries. Of course, first of all we supported those who represented Russia. Any Olympic medal is a victory, and the gold-winners represent the gold fond of humanity along with Nobel Prize winners.”

Residents of North Ossetia are proud with athletes who were born in the republic, but represent other states. For example, Artur Taimazov from the Uzbek national team became three-time Olympic champion, while other Ossetian Soslan Tigiyev brought the first gold medal to Uzbekistan in freestyle wrestling.

In the interview to Ossetian magazine Kvaisa Taimazov noted: “I would like to thank my birthplace – Kvaisa, the center of the Kudari Gorge. There is a beautiful place in its depth – Let. My ancestors came from there. The energy of the gorge charges me. If a sporting base is established there, any teams could conduct trainings there.”

Speaking about possibility to establish a sporting base in South Ossetia, Artur Taimazov states: “Of course it is possible. I wish it would be in Kvaisa or in the depth of the Kudari Gorge, as mountain conditions are more favorable. What does an athlete need? Appropriate meal and trainings, as well as no intereference. In Tskhinvali it would be more difficult to concentrate.”