In a statement to the press, Nazik Avdalyan, an Armenian Olympic hopeful who had to bow out of participating, says that she was with the team in spirit every step of the way.

Avdalyan also praises Armenian Olympic Committee President Gagik Tsarukyan for providing all the necessary conditions for the Armenian team to prepare for the games despite the country’s economic conditions.

She concludes her statement that while the Armenian team is worthy of praise, sport is a field of endeavour where failures are to be expected.