TWO RIVALS AT ONCE

The most prestigious competition on the planet, the Summer Olympic Games, will start on July 23rd in Tokyo. The Azerbaijani Olympic team is close to complete the training. It is no secret that the Olympic Games are always of particular importance for Azerbaijan. Excellent conditions created in Azerbaijan for the development of various sports contribute to the successful performance of our athletes. Nevertheless, this year's Olympics will be different from previous ones. After all, an athlete trying to become a champion will have to compete both against the rivals and the coronavirus.

We discussed the rules to be applied at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the level of training of our athletes with the Vice President of the National Olympic Committee Chingiz HUSEYNZADE.

"How do you assess the level of the Azerbaijani national team for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo?"

"Very good, given the current situation. Of course, we could have prepared even better. During the pandemic, the maximum possible conditions were created for our athletes, including necessary training camps organised in foreign countries and in Azerbaijan. Although the current level of preparations is far from the one for the past Olympics, we aimed for the best."

"Due to the pandemic, the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo will start a year later. What difficulties did you have during the past year?"

"We had great difficulties. Athletes have matured. They had to keep fit throughout the year. There were also positive aspects. Our young athletes had a chance to gain experience before the Olympics."

"What is the situation with the number of licenses? How do you explain the smaller number of license compared to 2016?"

"There was no pandemic before the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. There were many competitions, there were no restrictions on the number of tournaments. The process of winning licenses continues to this day. We can still get licenses in athletics, weightlifting, and swimming. There may also be triathlon licenses.

“We usually had a tradition with the number of licenses. Judokas exceeded our expectations – 9 athletes will fly to Tokyo this year. There will be seven wrestlers, half as many as last time. Therefore, I think it will be necessary to pay attention not to quantity, but to quality of competition - to try to win as many gold medals as possible. Because our team is smaller than before. The pandemic has changed a lot. We currently have 42 officially confirmed licenses in 14 sports.”

"What results can we expect from our athletes in Tokyo? Any forecast?"

"I think it is wrong to give forecasts in sports. Remember that the Tokyo Olympic Games are not like the previous ones. Absolutely different games, different conditions. Of course, the pandemic affected the training process, the number of licenses, and our lives. This is the first Olympics held in such difficult conditions. Therefore, predicting the results is extremely difficult. I usually made predictions that were close enough to reality. And this time I am sure that we will have medals, and many more. We will try to pay more attention not to quantity, but to quality. We hope to get at least 8 medals. I look forward to medals from each of the 7 wrestlers. From judokas. This time we mainly rely on our karatekas. We expect good results from them. We have candidates for medals in boxing, and taekwondo too. The team consists of strong athletes. What was the lesson learnt in Rio? Eight of our athletes reached the final stage of the tournament, and only one of them managed to win a gold medal. Although anyone of them could. We need to think not about quantity, but about quality."

"If we consider individual types of sports, wrestlers have very few licenses. What is the cause of problems in this sport?"

"The main problem is the small number of licensed competitions. Some of our athletes contracted the coronavirus and could not fully recover. Hence the less number of licenses."

"Which COVID-19 rules will apply in Tokyo?"

"We have provided the information provided to us to all federations. Athletes will have to pass two tests in a special laboratory 72 hours before flying to Japan. Both tests must be negative. If at least one turns out to be positive, the athlete will not be able to fly to Tokyo. In Tokyo, athletes and representatives of federations will take express tests every day. And a PCR test a day later. In case of a positive result, the person will be quarantined. They can only be released after two negative PCR tests. Athletes will be given 48 hours to return home. To return to Baku, a negative test is also required. In case of disagreement with the test results for Tokyo 2020, athletes have the right to demand retesting. According to the information we have, an athlete who is diagnosed with the coronavirus will not be disqualified. In other words, if an athlete has a positive test before the final meeting, he will not be dropped out but automatically receives a silver medal. In case of infection of one of the members, quarantine is possible for the entire team. Everyone is on an equal footing. We must take care of ourselves. This is a risk for everyone. Therefore, we are obliged to take tests daily, to follow the rules. Delegations are not allowed to leave the Olympic Village."

"What is the percentage of the vaccinated among our delegation?"

"Most of the members have been vaccinated. Some have had this disease. We do not approach this in percentage terms, but try to ensure that everyone is vaccinated before the trip."

"When will our team hit the road? When will the flag of Azerbaijan be raised in the Olympic Village, according to tradition?"

"This Olympics is fundamentally different from others. We will not be able to arrange charter flights as the host country has introduced certain rules. The athlete can arrive in Tokyo two days before the competition and must leave Japan 48 hours after the competition at the latest. Therefore, we have to travel separately. Athletes will arrive Tokyo just before the competition. I spoke with President Ilham Aliyev. There will be no official farewell ceremony. President will give a televised address. Due to the pandemic, there will be no flag-raising ceremony at the Olympic Village."

"What can prevent our athletes, who won 18 medals at the last Olympic Games, from achieving success in Tokyo?"

"The main problem is the coronavirus. Athletes will be dropped off at the slightest suspicion. This Olympics is completely different. We will try to perform as well as possible.”

"What would you wish to your fans in Azerbaijan."

"We hope that they believe in our athletes. They are able to adequately represent Azerbaijan. Each of them will try to compete with dignity at the Tokyo Olympics."