Georgia’s Olympic athletes get warm welcome at Tbilisi airport
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Georgia’s Olympic heroes have arrived home to jubilant scenes after two weeks of intense sporting competition at the 2016 Rio Summer Olympic Games.
Georgia’s 40 athletes, including medalists who brought home two gold, one silver and four bronze medals, touched down at Tbilisi Shota Rustaveli International Airport last night and were warmly welcomed by a throng of fans, supporters and media.
Hundreds of supporters surged forward when the Olympic team walked into the arrivals area, and asked for autographs from their sporting heroes.
Winners proudly wore their medals around their neck and posed for photos with their fans.
Olympic heroes walking into the arrivals area. Photo by Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs of Georgia.
Georgia’s Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Tariel Khechikashvili and Minister of Refugees Sozar Subari were at the airport to greet the Olympic team and praised the athletes for their efforts.
I would like to thank everyone who worked hard to bring success to Georgia in the world arena. We once again proved that Georgian sportsmen are strong. This is a big victory and we will actively continue promoting a whole range of different sports,” said Khechikashvili.
In a moment of silence when the crowds hushed, the Georgian athletes thanked their fans, saying their support greatly contributed to the success of the Georgian Olympic team.
Photo by Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs of Georgia.
Big thanks to everyone who supported us during this time and everyone who never doubted our abilities,” said gold medalist Lasha Talakhadze.
Our victory belongs to each of us and to the whole Georgia. Emotions are stronger today when we see so many supporters around us. This brings us huge happiness,” he said.
All of Georgia’s Olympic athletes are being praised for their success, however the country’s medalists will receive a financial reward from the state.
Georgia’s 40 athletes, including medalists who brought home two gold, one silver and four bronze medals. Photo by Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs of Georgia.
Olympic gold medalists Lasha Talakhadze (weightlifting) and Vladimer Khinchegashvili (freestyle wrestling) will receive $75,000 USD, silver medalist Varlam Liparteliani (judo) will receive $45,000 and bronze medalists Shmagi Bolkvadze (Grecco-Roman wrestling), Lasha Shavdatuashvili (judo) and Irakli Turmanidze (weightlifting) will each receive $30,000.
Georgia sent a record number of athletes to this year’s Olympic Games in Rio with a team of 40 athletes – 30 men and 10 women – who competed in 13 disciplines.
Georgia’s summer Olympics history [INFOGRAPHICS]
After two weeks of intense sporting competition, Georgia’s sporting heroes are returning home from the 2016 Rio Summer Olympic Games with seven medals: two gold, one silver and four bronze.
Several minutes ago Georgia’s freestyle Wrestler, Vladimer Khinchegashvili, won the country's second gold medal at the Rio Olympic Games, bringing the total medal count to six.
The Government of Georgia will financially reward athletes who won medals at the Rio Summer Olympic Games.
Georgian weightlifter Lasha Talakhadze, 22, has won the first gold for his country at the Rio Olympic Games and set a new world record in the clean and jerk.
Georgian judoka Varlam Liparteliani won the country's first silver several minutes ago at the Rio Olympic Games.
Judoka Lasha Shavdatuashvili wins bronze
Georgia has claimed its first medal at the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Georgian judoka Lasha Shavdatuashvili defeated European Champion Sagi Muki of Israel overnight in the bronze medal match.
Five Georgian athletes, not two, will now compete in Rio
Five Georgian athletes will represent the country at next month’s Summer Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro after three spaces emerged following the blanket ban of Russia’s entire Paralympic team due to doping.
Last night Georgia’s Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili met Georgia’s 40 Olympic athletes including seven medalists who brought home two gold, one silver and four bronze medals.