European Olympic Committees President Patrick Hickey and chairman of the European Youth Olympic Festival Guido de Bond visits Tbilisi . They viewed the gymnasiums , and also that area where the units for the Olympic Festival 2015 should be built. Besides, they had business meetings with Bidzina Ivanishvili, prime - Minister of Georgia, and Levan Kipiani, minister of Sport and Youth Affairs. At the end of the day , along with the leadership of the National Olympic Committee summarized this meeting.
Leri Khabelov, president of GEONOC, opened the press conference. He informed the audience that Tbilisi 2015 construction will be completed within planned time frame and it would be also possible to held the test competition. Patrick Hickey confirmed that he is satisfied with the progress of this work and is sure that they will manage it until 2015. Then he answered the questions of journalists.
- Have you talked to prime-minister about the departure of Georgian Olympic delegation to Sochi Olympic games?
- We discussed a variety of issues. Obviously the topic of Sochi also was discussed. Underlined that the boycott makes no sense. In this case, athletes oppress mostly. I am glad that Georgian Olympic Committee does not announce boycott and the government supports this decision. While Moscow 1980 Olympic games, Jimmy Carter, president of United States of America, did not allow delegation of his country to go there and he also made other countries to make a boycott. After he left his presidential post, he wrote in his memoirs that he was sorry about the boycott of Olympic games.
- Olympic organizers put Abkhazia and Ossetia as a separate republics in the accreditation form of the media. The International Olympic Committee has been notified in time from Georgia, but they have not corrected this infraction before the expiry date of the accreditation...
- I heard yesterday about this infraction. I talked to the representative of International Olympic Committee and he told that they strongly indicated the organizers. The Georgian National Olympic Committee is recognized by the International Olympic Committee and nobody will adjust if somebody makes them problem.
- If such provocative moves will continue by Russia?
- IOC will always support you with 100 percent. Sochi Olympic organizing committee has already taken warning and I am sure that they will not violate the rules.
- If Georgia declares a boycott to Sochi Olympiad anyway, will there be sanctions from IOC?
- Georgia does not declare boycott, but if something changes, I cannot say what will happen. I cannot respond, because this is a prerogative of IOC.
- Do you have any serious note about the infrastructure of Tbilisi 2015?
- Today we have got the exhaustive information in the form of presentation. I am very satisfied in what I have seen and in business meetings. They convinced me, that Tbilisi Olympic Festival has a full support from the government.
- You attended World Judo Championship in Brazil in August. It is known that the International Judo Federation wants to add the team competition to the Olympic program. Will there be any news about this issue in the near future?
- I do not understand judo as well as the music. But, I know that Georgians are particularly strong in this variety, also in wrestling and you win great number of medals in European Olympic Festivals. Adding Judo Team Championship to the program of Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games is foreclosed. The International Olympic Committee has got similar offer from basketball players, who wants to add Street Ball to the program. The president of IOC will examine this issue in detail and the final decision will be know after. The only thing I can say is that judo team competition will be held in upcoming Baku 2015 Olympic Games.
After Patrick Hickey, the journalists asked a question also to Leri Khabelov.
- Is the issue about the Olympic boycott resolved?
- The decision has been taken to a sports field, and probably nothing will change. Even if something happens, then the government will probably apply us with recommendation.
Aleksi Akhvlediani, head of the organizing committee of Tbilisi 2015, also made a brief comment at the end of the press conference. He announced that the financial problem required for the construction of Olympic units is already solved. Constructions of 12 units will start from November 18 and would most likely be completed by the end of 2014. Accordingly, the Georgian athletes will have enough time to accustom the new halls.
Otar Maglakelidze
