REAL OLYMPICS

- How hard was it to get to the finals and take the "silver" of the European Games Baku-2015?

- Very hard. Acclaimed and experienced wrestlers of the highest class have arrived in Baku for the European Games. On the way to the final, I had to contend with the winners of European and world championships. In the final, I couldn't overcome an eminent Russian wrestler.

A medal at the European Games is an important stage in sports for me and is the result of long and hard work. Now we will be preparing for future tournaments.

- How do you assess the level of organization of the European Games and what are the conditions for training and relaxation?

- I've participated in world and European championships, and I can judge the level of preparation in the host country. Azerbaijan has created the best conditions for participants in the competitions. Everything - from the reception at the airport, accommodation at the athletes' village, transportation, recreation and so on - was at the highest level. The opening of the European Games was a particularly emotional moment. I remember the appearance of the teams at the beautiful Olympic Stadium, and then there was a wonderful show at the opening of the Games. I can't but note the highly professional organization of wrestling matches at the Heydar Aliyev Sports Complex. Every single detail was thought over. The organizers did their best to ensure that wrestling competitions are held excellently.

- And were you able to see Baku in your spare time?

- Yes. Our team arrived a little before the start of the competitions to ensure that the athletes were able to acclimatize. We took this opportunity and visited the Maiden Tower and walked around the streets of Icari Sahar. Despite the strict diet, and it's important for us to maintain a certain weight before the bouts, we couldn't resist and tasted delicious dishes of Azerbaijani cuisine.

I last visited Azerbaijan for the Grand Prix in 2012. In three years, Baku became even more beautiful with clean streets and beautiful buildings. Any city in the world can dream about such transformation.

- How did they react to your success in Moldova?

- Before the final, I turned off my phone to be able to collect my thoughts and prepare. As soon as I turned on my mobile after the final, I got a bunch of text messages, calls and congratulations from relatives, acquaintances and friends. Congratulations are coming from different cities of Moldova.

- And what was especially remembered in these competitions?

- It's hard to mention anything specific, any moment. Everything that is connected with the first European Games made the most pleasant impression. There were a lot of interesting things when we were walking around Baku and in the competitions. It's impossible to highlight something specific.

The beautiful palace, which hosted the wrestling competition, was dominated by the amazing atmosphere of a sports festival. This flurry of support from the audience inspires wrestlers. Therefore, in the days of the European Games almost all matches were very interesting. I liked how popular wrestling is in Azerbaijan and the fact that spectators filled the stands. This makes such events more spectacular. Any wrestler is pleased to perform before an audience that loves and understands this sport and gives emotional support.

I want to note that Azerbaijan hosted a real Olympics. I don't think that Olympic Games could be organized better than the first European Games in Baku.

The Moldovan team is satisfied with the conditions created at the first European Games

Azerbaijan has provided all teams with the best possible conditions for participation in the first European Games, Vice-President of the National Olympic Committee of Moldova Nicolae Piatac told R+.

"The Moldovan team was represented at the first European Games Baku-2015 by 86 athletes in 12 sports. In the unanimous opinion of Moldovan athletes and members of the delegation, Azerbaijan provided all teams with the best possible conditions for participation in the first European Games. Everything was done to make the stay of guests in Baku comfortable and enjoyable - from catering and training to athletes' relaxation," Piatac said.

He noted that the delegation of the National Olympic Committee of Moldova visited Baku to familiarize itself with the course of preparations.

"We were delighted with the scope of work, a beautiful Olympic stadium, arena and other great sports infrastructure. The opening of the first European Games was well organized. Azerbaijan surpassed the European standard of preparing sporting events. Our entire delegation liked Baku very much. A clean, neat, beautiful and original city. Baku is a city of the future Olympic Games. I wish the Azerbaijani people happiness and prosperity. Let the Azerbaijani national anthem sound in the future competitions of the continental and world level and let the flag of your country be raised as the winner of the competition," the vice-president of the National Olympic Committee said.