STRUGGLE FOR PARIS

The global sporting community is gearing up for the most prestigious and eagerly anticipated events on the international sporting calendar. The XXXIII Summer Olympic Games are scheduled to commence in Paris on 26 July, with the Paralympic Games following on 28 August. These are the most significant sporting events to be held in France. It is anticipated that the Summer Olympics will be viewed by more than half of the global population, amounting to 4 billion spectators. A total of 22 cities and 40 competition venues will be involved in the Games, which will host 878 competitions in 54 sports. A total of 10,500 athletes will compete over the course of 17 days. A total of 329 awards will be bestowed upon the winners of the Olympic Games.

This will be the third occasion on which the Summer Olympics will be held in France, the previous instances being in 1900 and 1924. The programme of the most esteemed competition of the quadrennium encompasses a number of recently introduced sports, including breakdancing, sport climbing, skateboarding and wave surfing. It is anticipated that the opening ceremony of the 2024 Games will not be held in the athletics stadium, as is customary, but rather on the River Seine. The national teams will navigate the Seine by boat, traversing the heart of Paris. The Olympic Games are scheduled to take place between 26 July and 11 August 2024, while the Paralympic Games will commence on 28 August and conclude on 8 September.

A total of 48 athletes from Azerbaijan will participate in 15 programs across 17 sports.

Badminton

This will be Azerbaijan's inaugural appearance in the badminton competitions. Edi Reski Dwichao and Keisha Fatima Zahra will represent their country at the forthcoming event.

Gymnastics

A significant contingent of athletes from the Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation will be participating in the Games in Paris. This marks the second Olympic appearance for Zohra Aghamirova, as well as the Azerbaijani team in group exercises. Subsequent to the Tokyo Olympics, the team proceeded to secure victory at the European Championship and a medal at the World Championship. Consequently, it has ambitious aspirations. The team comprises Laman Alimuradova, Kamila Aliyeva, Yelizaveta Luzan, Güllü Aghalarzade and Daria Sorokina.

In the discipline of trampoline gymnastics, Seljan Maqsudova will be recorded in the annals of history as the inaugural Azerbaijani athlete to compete in this sport at the Olympic Games.

Struggle

A total of 12 athletes are among those who are expected to perform well. The freestyle wrestlers in question are Aliabbas Rzazade (57kg), Haji Aliyev (65kg), Turan Bayramov (74kg), Osman Nurmagomedov (86kg), Magomedkhan Magomedov (97kg) and Giorgi Meshvildishvili (125kg). In Greco-Roman wrestling, the competitors representing Azerbaijan are Murad Mammadov (60kg), Hasrat Jafarov (67kg), Sanan Suleymanov (77kg), Rafig Huseynov (87kg), and Sabah Shariati (130kg). Additionally, Azerbaijan will be represented by Maria Stadnik, a multiple world and European champion in women's wrestling.

Athletics

A single licence has been granted for participation in this sport. Anna Skidan will attempt to qualify for the hammer throw event.

Boxing

Despite the anticipation of a greater number of licences, only five members of the national team were able to qualify. The boxers representing Azerbaijan are Nijat Huseynov (51kg), Malik Hasanov (63.5kg), Murad Allakhverdiev (80kg), Alfonso Dominguez (92kg) and Muhammad Abdullayev (+92kg). Boxing, along with wrestling, has a long history of success at the Olympic Games, with numerous medals won in both sports. It is therefore anticipated that the current holders of the leather gloves will perform well.

Taekwondo

Azerbaijan has previously achieved a gold medal in this discipline at the Olympic Games in Brazil (2016). A single athlete will represent this discipline. Hashim Magomedov (58kg) represents the sole remaining hope for Azerbaijani taekwondokas at the Olympics.

Shooting

Ruslan Lunev, the European champion, will be participating once again in the Olympic Games, this time in the 10-metre air pistol event.

Basketball

For the first time Azerbaijan will also be represented in 3x3 basketball. The Azerbaijani basketball players, who have amassed considerable experience in a relatively short period of time, are poised to contend for medals.

Rowing

Following an eight-year hiatus, an Azerbaijani athlete has secured a rowing licence. Diana Dymchenko will participate in the 2000-meter rowing event.

Triathlon

Paris Olympic Games will be the second Olympic event for the European champion Rostislav Pevtsov. It is anticipated that the seasoned competitor will engage in a formidable contest with the sport's foremost contenders.

Fencing

Following a lengthy interval, the requisite licence for participation in fencing was also obtained. The accolade was bestowed upon sabre fencer Anna Bashta. The athlete, who has considerable experience, is considered to have a high probability of success.

Archery

In this discipline, the licence was awarded to Yaylagül Ramazanova. The athlete, who participated in two pre-season training camps, will commence the competition at the qualifying stage.

Swimming

In swimming, the Azerbaijan national team has been granted two licenses. Maryam Sheykhalizadanga and Ramil Velizade will participate in the most significant competition of their careers.

Judo

It is anticipated that judo will be a prominent medal-winning sport. As a consequence of the Azerbaijan Judo Federation's efficacious endeavours, nine wrestlers will participate in the Paris competition. The competitors are Balabek Aghayev (60kg), Yashar Najafov (66kg), Hidayat Heydarov (73kg), Zelim Tskayev (81kg), Eljan Hajiyev (90kg), Zelim Kotsoyev (100kg), Ushangi Kokauri (+100kg), Leyla Aliyeva (48kg) and Gultaj Mammadaliyeva (52kg). Each of the judokas on the men's national team has the potential to win a medal. In high-profile competitions, the primary determinants of success are the athlete's preparation on the day of the event and the draw.

It is pertinent to recall that the forthcoming Paralympic Games are scheduled to commence on 28 August in France. Azerbaijan has secured 13 licences for participation in these Games.