Wrestlers Migran Arutyunyan (right) and Artur Aleksanyan greeted by fans upon their return to Armenia (Photo: armnoc.am)

YEREVAN (Armenpress)—The Armenian Olympic delegation participating in the 31st Summer Olympic Games in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, returned to Armenia on August 27. Their Doha-Yerevan flight landed in Yerevan’s Zvartnots airport during early hours of Saturday.

Athletes Artur Aleksanyan, Mihran Harutyunyan, Simon Martirosyan, Gor Minasyan were welcomed with chanting “Artur, Mihran, Simon, Gor champion” from all sides.

Simon Martirosyan being greeted by fans at Zvartnots International Airport in Yerevan (Photo: armnoc.am)

Armenian Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan and members of the Government also came to welcome the Olympic delegation. Abrahamyan was the first to congratulate the sportsmen.

Gyumri residents gathered in the city’s Vardanants Square to celebrate the return of Aleksanyan and Minasyan.

“I am powerful with you, my city and country. This victory does not solely belong to me, this is everybody’s victory and we won together,” Aleksanyan said addressing his fellow citizens.

Weightlifter Gor Minasyan greeted by fans upon arrival to Yerevan (Photo: armnoc.am)

“We are thankful that you are awake at this late hour and met with us. We are really strong with you, and without you we would achieve success,” Minasyan said.

Wrestler Harutyunyan, who was deprived of the gold medal during the Olympic Games, announced that will not abandon sports.

“I am grateful to everyone. I am very anxious. I feel the unlimited love of my nation which is the most gratifying thing. All this seems incredible…After what I saw and experienced here, I cannot abandon sports. I want to give joy to my nation again,” Harutyunyan announced during festivities at Yerevan’s Republic Square.