Russian freestyle wrestler Arthur Nayfonov in an interview with , he commented on the situation with the possible exclusion of a number of Russian athletes from participation in the Summer Olympics in Paris, noting that he dreams of participating in the Olympics.
At the qualifying tournament in Baku, which took place in April, 26-year-old Nayfonov won an Olympic license in the weight category up to 86 kg. The Russian wrestler became third at the Tokyo Olympics.
— In 2022, you said you really hope to go to the Olympics. You are now an athlete already qualified for the Games, but the situation remains very difficult. What do you think of the Olympics now?
“The situation is extremely difficult, not only for me, but for all of Russia. And for Belarusian athletes. As soon as we are admitted, our motivation will immediately increase. We will also have the Russian Pre-Olympic Qualification Championship. And there’s more to come. I think I want to go to Paris, it’s my goal, my dream. Time passes, we get older, so we need to succeed as soon as possible.
— Have you been to Paris at least once?
– Never been.
— You have said several times: “we are getting older”, “age takes its toll”… You are 26 years old.
“That’s how we joke with the coach, our own kind of humor.” Of course, I’m not yet at the end of my career, I’m still a little young. Gray hair doesn’t mean anything,” Nayfonov told .
Two-time Olympic champion Abdulrashid Sadulaev was not admitted to the Baku tournament shortly before the start of the competition.
The IOC announced in December 2023 that it would allow Russian athletes who successfully qualify for the 2024 Olympics in Paris in individual neutral status without a flag, anthem or other national symbol. The IOC also banned the participation of athletes associated with security forces or who have expressed support for the SVO.
Live broadcasts of mixed martial arts tournaments can be seen on and Match! Fighter”, as well as on the sites matchtv.ru and sportbox.ru.
Source : MatchTV
I am Ashley Ortiz and I am a professional journalist working for Athletistic. My specialty is in sports journalism, particularly boxing. I have written articles for some of the most renowned publications on the subject, and my work has been featured across both print and digital media platforms.
