YEREVAN, AUGUST 27, NOYAN TAPAN. A celebration in honor of the Armenian Olympians took place in Yerevan's Republic Square on the evening of August 26. The event started with performance of the hymn of the National Olympic Committee of Armenia (NOCA). Then the members of Armenia's Olympic team, 6 bronze medalists, the coaches, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, NOCA President Gagik Tsarukian and the RA Minister of Sport and Youth Issues Armen Grigorian mounted the platform. In his speech Serzh Sargsyan congratulated the sportsmen, coaches and all those who made a contribution to the success of the Armenian team at the Beijing Olympic Games. NOCA President also made a speech, in which he thanked the chief coaches of the weightlifting, Greco-Roman wrestling and boxing teams Ashot Mkhitarian, Levon Julfalakian and Rafik Mehrabian, as well as the sportsmen who have won bronze medals. G. Tsarukian expressed a hope that at the next Summer Olympic Games to be held in London in 2012, our Olympic team will be composed of more sportsmen and they will win gold and silver medals as well. Weighlifter Tigran V. Martirosian made a speech on behalf of the sportsmen. Then cultural workers gave a performance. The event was concluded with fireworks.

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