Gold Coast Bulletin (Australia)
August 13, 2004 Friday

Chakhoyan evades detection

WEIGHTLIFTING: Sergo Chakhoyan can be a difficult man to find.

The great hope of Australian weightlifting at the Olympics has been
locked away training in Armenia for much of the year in the hope he
can win his adopted country its first weightlifting gold medal at a
Games since Dean Lukin in 1984.

In the 85kg division he will be challenged by hometown favourite and
triple Olympic gold medallist Pyrros Dimas and a handful of other
competitors for the top prize but must be considered a show given his
No.1 ranking and third place at last year’s world championships.

The 34-year-old is scheduled to arrive in Athens tomorrow for
competition which begins on August 21.

armenianow.com
August 13, 2004

Holiday from War: Iraqi-Armenian family enjoy brief reunion in Armenia

By Suren Deheryan
ArmeniaNow reporter

In March of last year, when the United States invaded Iraq, ArmeniaNow
reported on two Iraqi-Armenian students who watched on television from
Yerevan while their home was under attack (click here). Andranik and Mihran
Sedrakyan were university students here, but their parents and younger
brother were in peril as bombs fell on Baghdad.
Sixteen months later the boys were reunited with their mother and brother
who left Baghdad for a visit to Yerevan (they were also joined by their
grandfather, who came from the United States).

When war broke out, the boys gave up studies for news
It is 12 hours before Rina Sedrakyan and 14-year old son Sevak will board a
flight from Yerevan to Aleppo. Once in Syria, they will take a 16 hour taxi
ride through desert, dust and numerous armed posts to reach Baghdad.
Rina dreads the trip, but looks forward to seeing her husband and sister.
She has worried about them, especially since the August 1 attacks in their
city near an Armenian Catholic church.
During two months in Armenia the mother/wife/sister came to understand the
anxiety her sons Mihran, 24, and Andranik, 25, experienced. For seven months
after Baghdad came under attack, the boys were cut off from communication
with their family. They were in Yerevan to attend university. But for four
months they didn’t go to class, spending time instead watching news reports
of war in their home.
Peace is far from Baghdad, but Rina, 44, could not wait for more convenient
times before seeing her sons. With great effort she and Sevak came to
Yerevan in June and stayed until last Sunday.
“Finally I saw my sons, my father and had a wonderful time together in
Armenia,” Rina said, while packing for the return. “Now it’s time to go
back. I’ve left my husband and my sisters in Baghdad and I’m very anxious
for them.”
Anxiety reached new levels when Christian churches were bombed in Baghdad
two weeks ago.
“We go to the Armenian Apostolic church and up to this moment Armenians
could go to churches every time during every ceremony,” Rina said. “But
after this incident I think most of us would be afraid to go to our
churches. It means that we are in danger too.”
Rina says now the family will also avoid going to the Armenian community
club, where they have always gone for swimming, exercise and different study
groups.
After a restful reunion in Armenia, Rina was dreading the return to a war
zone.
“It’s wonderful, peaceful and safe in Yerevan,” Rina said. “Here all of us
are Armenians and we can go out without any yashmak. Our evening walks here
were worth everything. As a woman in Baghdad, I don’t risk to go anywhere
alone for two years.”

Rina’s second trip to Armenia was 26 years after the first
Each Yerevan night Rina could rest without the interruption of explosions –
a luxury she been denied since March last year in her own city.
(According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, there were some
20,000 Armenians in Iraq in 2003, about 10,000 in Baghdad. Today the
ministry has no accurate data as the Armenian Embassy in Iraq has
temporarily stopped its activity.)
According to the Department of Migration and Refugees of Armenia more than
100 Armenian refugees from Iraq have moved into Armenia since the war
started.
Rina said a few Armenians have died during attacks – those who worked for
international agencies. Some of her relatives had worked for American
organizations, but left their jobs after three Armenian women were killed
while working for the Americans.
The Sedrakyans say war has become a normal way of life in Baghdad. Life
continues, people go to work, children to schools, sometimes it is possible
to meet even wedding parties.
“This year we took part in three Armenian wedding parties in Baghdad,” Rina
said. “Three of the brides were from Yerevan. Their husbands have worked in
Yerevan and brought their girl-friends with them to Baghdad. This of course
is a brave deed on behalf of the girls.”
In 1978 Rina and Sedrak Sedrakyan reversed that pattern, as they came to
Yerevan to get married.
At that time Sedrak’s brothers were studying in Yerevan, so the couple
decided to have their wedding here.
They had hoped to return for their 25 th anniversary last summer, but the
events in Baghdad ruined those plans. Instead, they spent their anniversary
in their basement.
Sedrak wanted to be with his family in Yerevan, but was afraid to leave the
house unattended during such troubled times.
Rina found Yerevan to be beautiful, she said, “but 26 years ago there were
no beggars here, now there are many in the streets”.
Mother and son Sedrakyans took candles from Holy Etchmiadzin to put in the
Armenian church in Baghdad.
“I had brought candles from the Armenian church in Baghdad and lighting them
here I begged for peace for Iraq,” Rina said. “Now I’ll take candles from
here and hand them to the Armenians so that they’ll also light candles of
our saint Etchmiadzin in the Armenian churches of Baghdad.
“We beg for peace and a quiet life from God. Life in Baghdad is like an
animal’s life; we eat, drink and sit at home. We think only of staying
alive.”

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
Aug 13 2004

DEFENSE MINISTRIES OF AZERBAIJAN AND GREAT BRITAIN SIGN MEMO ON
MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING
[August 13, 2004, 16:02:08]

Minister of Defense of Azerbaijan Colonel-General Safar Abiyev met
with Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland in Baku Laurie Bristow and Military Attaché to Georgia and
Azerbaijan Christopher Nann to sign the memorandum on mutual
understanding between the two countries.

He expressed satisfaction with the existing cooperation between
Azerbaijan and the United Kingdom in political, economic and other
spheres. It is very remarkable that the memo on mutual understanding
we are to sign today will lay the foundation for our military
cooperation, he said.

Ambassador Bristow noted for his part that the two countries had been
cooperating in military sphere even before within the framework of
the NATO Partnership for Peace program, and that, both counties’
units are now serving side by side in Iraq. The memo according to him
will promote intensive development of the military cooperation
between Azerbaijan and UK.

I believe, Colonel-General Safar Abiyev responded, that the signing
of the memo will serve strengthening of independence and security of
Azerbaijan. Then, the Minister exchange views with the British
Ambassador on the political and military situation in the Southern
Caucasian region. Touching upon the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over
Nagorno-Karabakh, he expressed concern over the fact that the
international community had not yet recognized Armenia, which had
occupied 20% of the Azerbaijan’s territories as an aggressor.

The Minister also informed the guests on Azerbaijan’s integration
into the European security structures, intensification of the
country’s activities within the NATO Partnership for Peace program
and implementation jointly European countries of large-scale economic
project.

Ambassador Bristow expressed his government’s belief in fair
resolution of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, and noted that the
United Kingdom is very interested in long-term security in
Azerbaijan.

In conclusion, Minister of Defense of Azerbaijan Colonel-General
Safar Abiyev and Ambassador Laurie Bristow have signed the memorandum
on mutual understanding and Defense links between the Republic of
Azerbaijan and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland.

armenianow.com
August13, 2004

Learning Curve: Doctoral candidate takes critical look at Diaspora-Armenia
relations

By Vahan Ishkhanyan
ArmeniaNow reporter

Eight months ago ethnographer Hrak Varjapetian and his family moved from
America to Armenia to research a complex question: What are the similarities
and differences between native Armenians and Diaspora?
Varjapetian is defending his doctoral thesis at the University of Wisconsin.
While interacting with his distant relatives, the ethnographer has also
focused a good deal of attention on the significance of statues and
memorials in Armenia.

A family making observations . . .
It is significant, he says, that monuments in Armenia are larger, more
imposing and, simply, more “monumental”.
“When the Armenian community is surrounded by Armenians it feels safe and
only then it can feel confident and can have monumental memorials,” says
Varjapetian, a native of Lebanon.
To make his point, Varjapetian compares the David of Sasun statue in
Yerevan, with the one in Fresno, California. The American version is much
less significant and “in contrast to Yerevan’s, the horse and David are
thin, weak and close to death”.
While there may be many practical reasons behind the way the hero is
depicted, the ethnographer sees it as an example that the mere size of
monuments reflects a society’s confidence and sense of security.
Another point of his research is that in Armenia people are experiencing the
Armenian reality. And, objects that might hold great significance for
Diaspora are part of the normal environment in Armenia.
“They sell both rock pictures and cross stones copies, because they are on
their soil. We haven’t ever seen rocks and cross stones in Diaspora. We only
heard about them or saw in photos,” Varjapetian says. “For Diaspora,
Armenian history starts with (expulsion from Western Armenia). If we learn
our identity from materialistic objects, Diaspora learns through oral
history.”
Varjapetian moved to America 30 years ago. He says that both in Armenia and
Lebanon, Armenians are in safe surroundings and among many generations of
relatives. But when a Lebanese Armenian goes to America or France he loses
his confidence and sometimes becomes angry at his father’s authority, who
had to be his protector.
So, in Los Angeles, Lebanese-Armenian writers, Vahe Berberian and Ishkhan
Ginbashian in their works ridicule the fathers’ role and sometimes throw
them from their pedestals. So, too, Armenians who emigrated to Paris in the
1920s rebelled against the older generation and national values. (For
example, in Shahan Shahnuri’s novel “Retreat Without a Song” the Armenian
hero sees Narekatsi to be the reason of the nation’s collapse.)
In contrast, the ethnographer observes, native Armenians stick more closely
to traditional values and morals.
There is also a big difference in understanding of Genocide, Varajeptian
says.
“Everything that people (living in Armenia) don’t like they call ‘genocide’,”
Varajeptian says. He uses the displacement of residents for North Avenue
construction as example.
“So many people say to me, that my father was born here, so how I can live
in (the Yerevan district) Masiv? And they also say, ‘as Turks did, now our
Government does an eviction, and this is genocide’. But for Diaspora,
Genocide is a historical event”.
While native Armenians need no reminders of their place, many Diaspora –
especially third generation – need to go back to their roots for some
identity.
He gives an example of an American writer Mishlin Aharonian-Markomin, whose
mother is an Armenian. He is the author of books about Genocide.
“Mishlin’s grandmother was born in Kharberd and she told him about Genocide.
Once Mishlin said to a Turk from Kharberd, that his mother is also from
Kharberd and an eye-witness of Genocide. The Turk said that there was no
genocide. So the question rose: either the mother lies or the Turk. While
clarifying that question his identity will be created”.
Varjapetian has relatives in Armenia and says it is a rich resource for an
ethnographer. But he does not want to live here because, in general, he says
Armenia is a rude place.
“At Vernisage a book-seller sells books in a cover,” he says. “I want to
take the wrapper off to look and maybe then buy. But the seller doesn’t
allow, saying ‘Can’t you see it from the pocket. If not don’t buy.’ Or a
woman puts a telephone outside and wants 100 drams for a call. After calling
you give money, 150 drams, 50 you want back and she throws it into your
face. Little things add to each other and become things that you can not
stand.”
His wife, Silva Dakesian, an English editor, is mostly dissatisfied with the
people’s rudeness. “When I came first it was very nice, I was happy that we
understood each other,” she says. “But then I started to notice that
Armenian Armenians and Armenians from Diaspora do not understand each other.
People give very coarse answers. For example, once I went to the library to
look for a book and the librarian shouted rudely. Then as she knew that I am
not from Armenia, she became very polite. Or in the yard of an art gallery I
was looking at a statue of Lenin. A manager passed and I asked where the
head of Lenin is, he said somewhat rough, ‘Why the hell do you need it?'”
The couple’s children, 10-year old Arev and 8-year old Nur, attended a
school in Yerevan and the most important thing for them was learning the
Armenian language.
“Now I can speak with my parents in America in Armenian and nobody will
understand it,” says Arev.
But, like his mother, Arev isn’t pleased with what he found among Armenian
society. Especially, he was sad to see children mistreat animals.
“They hit cats with stones,” the boy says. “They put out the eyes of one cat
from our yard. If you take a cat from the street you must take good care of
it without harming.”
Meanwhile, his sister, Nur, says she feels sorry for so many beggars in
Armenia. And the little Lebanese-Armenian-American says it inspires her to
be like a certain African-American.
She says she will become a follower of Martin Luther King, and set the poor
free from being outcasts.

Associated Press Worldstream
August 13, 2004 Friday 12:11 PM Eastern Time

Nagorno-Karabakh hands over detained Azerbaijani soldier

YEREVAN, Armenia

Authorities in Nagorno-Karabakh announced Friday that an Azerbaijani
soldier detained a week ago in the separatist enclave was handed over
to Azerbaijan.

Anar Samyedov, 21, was seized on Aug. 6 in the northeast part of the
enclave’s border after allegedly crossing the demarcation line,
Nagorno-Karabakh officials said.

His detention was immediately reported to the International Committee
of the Red Cross and the Organization of Security and Cooperation in
Europe.

Armenian-backed forces won control of Nagorno-Karabakh, a largely
ethnic Armenian enclave in Azerbaijan, in a 1988-94 war that killed
some 30,000 people and drove a million from their homes.

Despite a cease-fire, Armenian-backed forces and Azerbaijani troops
continue to face off across a demilitarized zone, and shooting
occasionally erupts.

La Opinion
August 13, 2004 Friday

Tragico accidente en autopista 210;
Tres personas fallecen y cinco resultan heridas; nino pierde un pie
al caer sobre las vias

Agustin Duran; Reportero de La Opinion

Tres personas murieron y cinco sufrieron lesiones ayer cuando una
camioneta todoterreno volco sobre la autopista 210 en Pasadena.
Varias personas fueron expulsadas del vehiculo, entre ellas un nino
que cayo sobre las vias y perdio una pierna al ser arrollado por un
tren de la Linea Dorada del Metro.

El vehiculo, Ford Expedition 2003, sufrio el accidente alrededor de
las 10:00 de la manana a la altura de la salida Sierra Madre sobre
los carriles en direccion este de la autopista 210, la cual
permanecio cerrada completamente hasta la 1:15 de la tarde, cuando se
abrieron dos lineas. El resto de los carriles fueron reabiertos a las
4:06 de la tarde, lo que provoco embotellamientos de trafico de hasta
4.5 millas de largo.

Hasta el cierre de esta edicion se habia reportado que los heridos se
encontraban en el hospital Huntington Memorial y en el Hospital
General del Condado-USC.

De los cinco heridos, dos estaban en estado grave, incluido el nino
que perdio la pierna, y tres tenian heridas de menor gravedad. Los
pasajeros eran todos mujeres, con excepcion del nino.

“No sabemos como perdio el control el conductor; aparentemente dio
varias vueltas y expulso a varios pasajeros de su interior”, explico
Ricardo Quintero, portavoz de la Patrulla de Carreteras de California
(CHP), que llego minutos despues del accidente cuando casi todos los
pasajeros estaban fuera del vehiculo.

“Dos de las victimas murieron en el acto y la tercera en camino al
hospital”, agrego. “El nino cayo en medio de los carriles de la Linea
Dorada y el tren le paso por encima de una pierna”.

De acuerdo con las autoridades de la Direccion Metropolitana de
Transporte (MTA), el conductor del tren trato de hacer todo lo
posible para detener los vagones, pero sin embargo fue imposible
detener el convoy completamente.

“El tren viajaba del este a oeste y se dirigia a la ultima estacion
cuando el conductor se dio cuenta de que habia algo en las vias. No
pudo distinguir que era inmediatamente, pero de todas maneras trato
de detenerse. Sin embargo, no fue posible y el nino fue embestido,
explico Jose Ubaldo, portavoz de MTA.

“Es muy dificil detener un tren que viaja a 50 millas por hora con el
peso que lleva”, agrego. “Afortunadamente, el menor, de unos 8 anos
de edad, salio con vida y fue transportado inmediatamente a un
hospital local”.

En cuanto a los pasajeros del Metro, ninguno quiso recibir asistencia
medica o ser transportado a un hospital para revision.

La Linea Dorada permanecio cerrada por espacio de una hora.

Por su parte, Lisa Derderian, del Departamento de Bomberos de
Pasadena, dijo que este es uno de los peores accidentes que su
departamento haya presenciado.

“Desgraciadamente tuvimos varias fatalidades. Hasta el momento se
siguen investigando las razones del accidente”, explico Derderian,
para luego agregar que dos de las victimas en situacion critica
habian recibido golpes en la cabeza y fracturas; mientras que los
otros dos heridos solo habian sido tratados por el impacto emocional.

La identidad de las victimas no fue dada a conocer. Varias personas
ajenas al incidente mencionaron que posiblemente las victimas eran de
origen armenio. Se desconocia si eran familiares.

Assa-Irada
Aug 13 2004

Armenian-Russian military training due in Armenia

BAKU

A joint Armenian-Russian military training will be held in Armenia on
August 24-27, says chief of the Armenian Armed Forces Headquarters,
first deputy defense minister Mikael Arutyunian.
He said that an enforced Armenian regiment and officers from the
102nd Russian military base in Giumri, Armenia will participate in
the training.
Various types of arms, including attack and destructive aviation and
artillery will be used.
Arutyunian added that the goal of the training will be to coordinate
interaction in defense.*

United States Department of Defense
Aug 13 2004

News Transcript
On the web:
l

Media contact: +1 (703) 697-5131
Public contact: or +1 (703)
428-0711

Secretary Rumsfeld Press Conference in Baku

SEC. RUMSFELD: Good morning. In my meetings with the
president and the minister of defense, I expressed the gratitude of
the American people, to the people of Azerbaijan for their important
support in the global war on terror. After the attacks on the United
States on September 11, 2001, Azerbaijan was one of the first
countries to offer support, providing valuable access and overflight
rights for coalition aircraft, sending peacekeepers to Afghanistan in
support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

And today Azeri troops are deployed in both Afghanistan and Iraq and
working closely with coalition forces there. In addition, we’re
working very closely together in connection with the NATO Partnership
for Peace effort, which, of course, is a benefit to all 26 NATO
nations, as well as the partners.

In our meetings today with the president and the minister, we
discussed our bilateral defense cooperation. This includes
cooperation with Azerbaijan to help guard against transnational
threats in the Caspian Sea, such as narcotics trafficking, terrorist
transit and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The
American people greatly appreciate the steadfast support of
Azerbaijan in the global war on terror, and we look forward to
continuing to strengthen our military cooperation in the period
ahead.

QUESTION [Via Translator]: Two questions. First of all, Mr.
Secretary of Defense, did you discuss the issue of expansion of Azeri
peacekeepers in Iraq and Afghanistan with President Ilham Aliyev?
And secondly, whether you have been asked for any assistance or
support in Nagorno-Karabakh conflict solution as the only Muslim
country Azerbaijan has its troops on the ground in both Iraq and
Afghanistan?

SEC. RUMSFELD: We did not discuss the possibility of expansion of
Azeri troops in Afghanistan or Iraq. We did discuss the fact that
the United Nations is currently undertaking a responsibility under a
U.N. resolution to assist with Iraqi — the upcoming elections and
that the United Nations is soliciting assistance from countries
around the world to provide security forces to assist the United
Nations with respect to the forthcoming Iraqi elections. With
respect to Nagorno-Karabakh, as you know, the Organization for
Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Minsk Group, is the lead
organization for facilitating negotiations for a peaceful settlement
of that set of issues.

SEC. RUMSFELD: And we did discuss the fact that the United States,
which is involved in that process, along with three or four other
countries, has recently appointed a new ambassador, Mr. Mann, to
assist. And as you know, the United States supports the territorial
integrity of Azerbaijan.

Q: Good morning, Mr. Minister, my name is Tom Squitieri, I’m with
USA Today. You heard Secretary Rumsfeld say he looks forward to
further military cooperation between United States and Azerbaijan.
I’m wondering what specific things you would like to see the United
States and NATO provide to your nation’s military to transform it
into a force you think is necessary for your country, and also, have
you considered the secretary’s request about supplying forces to
protect during the Iraqi elections? Thank you.

DEF. MINISTER ABIYEV [Via translator]: As you know, since Azerbaijan
gained independence in 1991, the country has faced lots of threats
and 20 percent of Azerbaijan’s territories are still under Armenian
occupation. And what we want from the U.S. as our ally and partner
is the U.S. to support Azerbaijan in this conflict and demand that
Armenia immediately withdraws its occupational forces from the
territories of Azerbaijan.

Yes, indeed, there’s military cooperation, security cooperation
between our country is going from year to year, and we highly value
this cooperation, and we’re also cooperating with the United States
in the NATO Partnership for Peace Program. And today we’ll also
discussed the issue of security in the Caspian — also another
important issue for Azerbaijan, another unresolved and important
problem for Azerbaijan, but having said that, it’s a political issue
and only when the political solution is found to this issue then the
military will speak.

Q: [Inaudible]

TRANSLATOR: Say what again?

Q: [Inaudible] response to the secretary regarding the security
[Inaudible]?

DEF. MINISTER ABIYEV [Via Translator]: Azerbaijani peacekeepers are
already in Iraq and they have their mandate to fulfill and they will
continue to carry out their tasks.

QUESTION [Via Translator]: Two questions. First, would like you to
– Mr. Secretary of Defense — to evaluate the threats you think posed
to Azerbaijan by Iran’s possibility to develop nuclear weapons and to
whether you anticipate any measure, or perhaps joined together with
Azerbaijan measures, to prevent this threat? And second question is
the Tehran Times newspaper that was reported recently that Azeri
forces under American trainers — American military instructors —
will be deployed on the border between Azerbaijan and Iran. Would
like your comments on this.

SEC. RUMSFELD: I think the – well, the first thing I would say is
that the world is properly concerned about the Iranian nuclear
development activities. The international atomic energy commission
[sic] representing the world community has been active in inspecting
what’s taking place there and has repeatedly expressed concern. The
Iranians have almost consistently responded to the IAEA in an
unsatisfactory way. That presents a problem for the world.

It’s a problem that is really twofold. One is the potential for a
nuclear capability in that country and the implications for
neighboring nations, as you suggested. The second problem it poses is
one of proliferation. As you know, Iran has been on the terrorist
list for many years. And one of the gravest concerns that the world
faces is the nexus between a terrorist state that has weapons of mass
destruction and terrorist networks. So it’s understandable that the
nations, and not just in this region, but throughout the world, are
deeply concerned about what’s taking place in Iran.

QUESTION [Via translator]: Second part of the question, the Tehran
Times and American military instructors on the border Azerbaijan,
Iran?

SEC. RUMSFELD: Not to my knowledge.

UNKNOWN: We’ll take two more questions.

Q: Toby Zakaria with Reuters. Secretary Rumsfeld, also on Iran, did
you discuss with the president and the minister of defense Iranian
President Khatami’s recent visit here? And did you express any
concerns at all about what appears – some might say what appear to be
growing ties between Azerbaijan and Iran?

SEC. RUMSFELD: Yes and no. We did discuss the subject with the
president of the visit of the president of Iran to Azerbaijan. And
no, we did not discuss various things mentioned in your second
question.

QUESTION (Via translator): ATV Channel. Mr. Secretary, you said
that the United States supports territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.
In this case, how would you explain the fact that the United States
Congress allocates $5 million per year to the secretary’s regime in
Nagorno-Karabakh, and second question is that Saddam Hussein, who did
not fulfill United Nation’s resolutions, was punished. Do you
anticipate anything against Armenia that…

SEC. RUMSFELD: I’m sorry. I was listening here, instead of to you.
Go ahead.

Q: Yeah. And the second question is Saddam Hussein, who did not
fulfill U.N. resolutions was punished. Do you anticipate taking any
measures against Armenia that refuses to fulfill United Nations for
resolutions in Nagorno-Karabakh?

SEC. RUMSFELD: First, I’m advised that the first question involved
simply some humanitarian assistance and I think it’s important to
look at the totality of all of the various types of cooperative
arrangements we have with Azerbaijan and the total number in terms of
dollars comes to a substantially higher number.

As I mentioned earlier with respect to Nagorno-Karabakh, the Minsk
Group and the negotiating process that’s in place and supported by
the international community is under way and we are hopeful that
there can be a peaceful resolution of that set of issues that will be
respectful of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.

SEC. RUMSFELD: Thank you very much.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Deutsche Presse-Agentur
August 13, 2004, Friday

FEATURE: Being the first Olympic champion is special at the Games

By

John Bagratuni, dpa

Athens

The first Olympic gold medal awarded is special at any Olympics, and
like four years ago in Sydney it will be the winner of the women’s 10
metres air-rifle event on Saturday. At the first modern Olympics in
1896, by contrast, it was the men’s triple jump. The first winners in
1896 and 2000 were Americans, James Connolly and Nancy Johnson, and
they both created plenty of interest. Connolly quit Harvard
University after having a request for leave of absence for the
Olympics turned down. Legend has it that the 27-year-old spent his
life savings for a ticket aboard a German freighter to fulfil his
Olympic dream in Athens. It was well worth the investment as
Connolly, one of 12 children of Irish-Catholic parents from Boston,
won the triple jump Olympic title with 13.71 metres, finished second
in the high jump and third in the long jump. “I breathed into my
palms and waited, taking time to measure the path with my eye while
doing so. “But more than everything else, I was waiting for that wave
of high energy which will come to the man who is gathering himself
for a big try, if he will but wait for it,” the NBC Olympic website
recalled him as saying. The triple jump victory made him the first
Olympic champion in 1,527 years since Varesdates, Prince of Armenia,
who won the boxing event in 369 AD. The ancient Olympics were
outlawed in 393 AD by Roman Emperor Theodosius because he considered
them pagan. Connolly did not return home until May 1896, alone and
unnoticed. He later became a famous journalist and writer. In 1949,
he turned down a Harvard honorary doctorate. He died at the age of
88. Johnson, meanwhile, claimed a surprise air-rifle gold in Sydney
four years ago after miraculously overcoming a muscle-wasting illness
at the age of 17. “The doctors talked me up as a medical mystery
because they never really found out what happened apart from severe
nerve damage and muscle atrophy in my left arm and left side,”
Johnson said. “They indicated that they thought it was MS (multiple
sclerosis) and that I would be in a wheelchair within six months.
“They said ‘forget shooting, forget anything that requires you to use
both hands’,” she said. But six months later Johnson started
regaining feeling on her left side and was back in full health after
intensive physical therapy. The gold in Sydney was the icing on her
recovery. On Saturday, another air rifle athlete will make history as
the first Olympic champion of the 2004 Athens Games. dpa jb adh

Geelong Advertiser (Regional Daily), Australia
August 13, 2004 Friday

Gold medal would lift weight off Olympic team’s mind

EVEN a gold medal at the Olympics can only be considered a minor
salvage job on the wreckage that is Australian weightlifting.

Sergo Chakhoyan will head to Greece as the world No.1 rated lifter in
the 85kg class. He is expected to vie with the host nation’s triple
gold medallist, Pyrros Dimas, for top honours in Athens.

Ultimately, though, anything Chakhoyan achieves will be undermined by
the drug scandals and selection debacle that has battered the sport
in the lead-up to the Games.

Weightlifting has long had more than its share of doping problems —
exemplified by the 11 positive tests at the 2003 world titles — but
Australia had remained relatively clean. Until 2004.

It started with two peripheral squad members, Seen Lee and Anthony
Martin, receiving two-year bans for steroid use. Much worse was to
come, though, as it was revealed Australia’s sole women’s
representative, Caroline Pileggi, refused to take a drug test while
training in Fiji.

Pileggi, too, was given a two-year ban, which she unsuccessfully
appealed, and was replaced in the team by Deborah Lovely.

Meanwhile, questions had been raised about Chakhoyan — who’d already
served a two-year ban for steroid use in 2001 — after the Australian
Olympic Committee could not locate the lifter for three-and-a-half
months while he was training in Armenia.

However, a test in Armenia three months before the Games was
negative.

And against the backdrop of the drugs controversy was a poor world
championship campaign and the debacle of the Oceania qualifiers,
where Australian weightlifting officials sent an understrength team
and then lost a qualifying spot to the tiny nation of Nauru.

Chakhoyan can’t turn things round for the sport but he can win gold.

Fifth at the Sydney Olympics, Chakhoyan won gold and bronze at last
year’s world titles in Vancouver.