“Motivation only depends on the number of competitions” – Dalaloyan

Olympic champion in artistic gymnastics Arthur Dalaloyan spoke to about his motivation over being excluded from international competitions.

At the end of March, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced recommendations for the admission of Russian and Belarusian athletes to international competitions in neutral status. Recommendations include individual admission, neutral status, banning participation in team sports, and banning the participation of athletes associated with security forces or who have expressed support for the SVO. The decision on the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, as the IOC noted, will be made “at the appropriate time”.

— Does being suspended from international competitions affect your physical fitness or morale more?

— I think it’s more moral. In terms of physical preparation, the coaches don’t let us give up. We are constantly training and preparing. Physical condition is pretty good today. Next year promises to be busy, we are preparing for the BRICS Games and the Friendship Games.

— Where to find motivation to stay in shape?

— I can say that only the number of competitions speaks of motivation. There is no strong demotivation in stopping training. But when we realize that there are serious competitions ahead, important debuts, we train much more intensely. In general, the bigger the competition, the better you prepare,” Dalaloyan told correspondent.

The Paris Olympic Games will take place from July 26 to August 11, 2024.