Moldova's Olympic team returned home from Paris, met by Head of State Maia Sandu

Chisinau, Aug. 12 /MOLDPRES/- With flowers, tears of happiness and joy, ovations, pride, hugs, gratitude and a lot of love, the Olympic team of our country, which returned home from Paris today, was welcomed at Chisinau International Airport by Moldovan President Maia Sandu.

"You have written history for our country. Since independence, you have brought a record number of medals. This is the first time Moldova wins so many medals, for which we thank you. Whether you brought home medals or fought until the last second, you are our pride! You are 26 athletes, who represented our country with honor in Paris. Your medals and victories are more than sports awards and show that we can be a society of winners", said Maia Sandu.

President of the National Olympic and Sports Committee Nicolae Juravschi praised the outstanding performance of our country's Olympians, emphasizing the importance of the athletes' achievements both for the international image of the Republic of Moldova and for the whole nation. "It is very difficult to get an Olympic medal. There is very strong competition. All four medals mean a lot. In the context of our country's European integration, we are showing the whole world who Moldova is, what its people do, what potential it has. We are managing to contribute to this," Juravschi said.

The athletes were also greeted by Dan Perciun, Minister of Education and Research, who reiterated that the development of sport, including performance sport, remains a priority for the government.

The Republic of Moldova won four medals for the first time since it took part in the Olympic Games with a separate delegation, twice as many as in 1996 and 2000.

The silver medal won by Anastasia Nichita is the first after a 24-year break. Anastasia, who has had several injuries this year, is also the first female wrestler from our country to win an Olympic Games medal.

For the first time on the podium, judoka Denis Vieru and Adil Osmanov won two bronze medals. For the second Olympic Games in a row, Sergei Tarnovschi was third on the podium.

Weightlifter Marin Robu also came very close to a bronze medal, but suffered the consequences of controversial refereeing decisions. CNOS hopes that after the appeal lodged, justice will be done in Marin Robu's case.

Moldova with 4 medals ranked 72nd among 206 countries. Two prizewinners -  Anastasia Nichita and Serghei Tarnovschi.

Paris hosted the Olympics after a 100-year break and broke the record for tickets sold - 9.4 million.

The next Summer Olympics will be held in 2028 in Los Angeles, USA.