Arsen Galstyan: “Personally, I would not understand a judoist who would accept an individual invitation from the IOC”

Throughout the Olympic cycle, Russian judokas honestly earned qualifying points and complied with all the rules established by the international federation and the IOC. But June 28 was the day when everything was divided into “before” and “after”: out of 17 qualified Russians, only four received an invitation to go to Paris. Under such conditions, the Russian Judo Federation decided to completely abandon the Olympic Games.

Russian men’s judo team coach Arsen Galstyan told he considered the IOC’s decision a personal insult, explained why none of the Russians had accepted a personal invitation and said it was time to reform the IOC.

— Do you remember the evening of June 28, when it was announced that the Russians would not go to Paris?

– I didn’t believe it. However, we had a presidium with athletes, coaches and leaders. The head of the federation made an appeal that, unfortunately, the IOC had imposed such conditions on our athletes, so everyone came to the conclusion that none of ours would go there, because these conditions were humiliating and unacceptable for us.

I was very upset myself and I can’t imagine what our guys and girls were feeling. In early July we were supposed to go to the final training camp in Spain, then fly to Sochi, then to Paris. That was our plan.

There is so much work, we have done so much, but in the end everyone stays at home. I thought a lot about the guys, I put myself in their shoes – and mentally it was hard. I wrote words of support to the guys to at least cheer them up. But we are a family, a team that always supports each other! Everyone approached this news adequately, everyone accepted the decision of the presidium.

I was sure that our athletes would have made a splash at these Olympic Games, but now these Games will become incomplete. I don’t think there is any satisfaction in winning such a weakened tournament.

— So Teddy Riner won’t be happy because Inal Tasoev won’t come to see her?

– If he wins, he will be happy, but he will certainly remember Tasoev’s absence and deep down he realizes that there might not have been any gold if Inal had come to Paris.

— Is it possible to consider Russian judokas as the most affected among all Russian athletes, because in other sports it was announced in advance that there would be no Olympic Games for them?

– Probably, yes, you can say so. The lives of our athletes have been ruined. And unfortunately, the International Judo Federation, which allowed us to participate in its tournaments, is not able to influence the IOC’s decision. We are grateful to the IJF – it has proven itself to be much more honest, smarter and at the same time did not drag athletes where they did not need to go. In my opinion, the IOC reform is now expected. These imperfect Games should make people understand that reforms are necessary.

— None of our judokas are going to retire because of Paris’ absence?

— No, fortunately, there were no such statements. We recently held a meeting where we discussed and supported each other. Everyone wants to continue working. Overall, we have a young team, so I hope everyone will continue to perform. In my opinion, many members of this team will be able to perform well at the 2028 Olympic Games, if, of course, the IOC understands everything.

— After June 28, the IOC started sending out personal invitations, right?

— Yes, and for those who did not qualify for the Olympics as a first team. For example, Makhmadbek Makhmadbekov, who in his weight category lost his license to Danil Lavrentiev, and Valery Endovitsky, who fought in weight with Inal Tasoev. These guys, of course, also deserved to be at the Olympics, but we already had a team formed. But thanks to the guys for approaching this situation adequately, remaining in solidarity with the team and friends, and therefore also refusing the trip.

– But Makhmadbek first accepted the invitation, then he was forced to refuse, wasn’t he?

— I also saw similar information on the Internet, but I clarified: this did not happen! Makhmadbek is not going to Paris. Like other athletes, he proved that conscience is more valuable.

— Let’s imagine theoretically: what would happen to an athlete if he went to Paris against the general position?

“I haven’t even thought about it and I don’t want to think about it.” Personally, I wouldn’t understand a person who, after such a long journey together, would accept an individual invitation.

— Surely the road to the national team would be closed?

– It’s hard to say. I hope that no one will go down this path and that the national team will remain in the composition in which it is currently.

— In early July, the Russian Judo Federation launched an information campaign “One Country – One Team” to support our athletes, and now on the streets of different Russian cities you can see images of the national team judokas. How did you feel about this?

– Of course, I know about this action, but I have not yet seen it in person, because I myself needed a mental break from what happened – I left the city with my family for the mountains. Naturally, I support this campaign with both hands, because now more than ever, our guys need this support. We must show that the whole country is nearby, that we are one. No one should feel abandoned, that is why the federation has taken the right path.

I would also like to say that the entire progressive society supports our decision. Join us, our campaign! The more support we have, the stronger we will be!

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