YEREVAN, AUGUST 2, NOYAN TAPAN. The first Olympic delegation of Armenia left for Beijing on July 31. The delegation is composed of sportsmen (judo, shooting) and their coaches. The others will leave for China on August 1, 2, 4, 5 and 7. The Armenian delegation is headed by the President of the National Olympic Committee of Armenia (NOCA) Gagik Tsarukian. The chief commissioner is the Vice President of NOCA Derenik Gabrielian. The delegation is also composed of the RA minister of sport and youth issues, NOCA Secretary General Armen Grigorian, heads of various sport departments, doctors and reporters. During the opening ceremony, former Olympic champion, the best Armenian sportsman of the 20th century Albert Azarian will be Armenia's flag-bearer. The Armenian president Serzh Sargsian sent a message to Armenian sportsmen - participants in Beijing Olympics. He will be present to watch their participation in various competitions in Beijing. 25 Armenian sportsmen and sportswomen will represent 8 kinds of sports during the 29th Olympic Games in Beijing on August 8-24: weightlifting - Ripsime Khurshudian (75 kg), Tigran G. Martirosian (69 kg), Gevorg Davtian (77 kg), Ara Khachatrian (77 kg), Tigran V. Martirosian (85 kg), Edgar Gevorgian (85 kg), boxing - Hovhannes Danielian (48 kg), Hrachik Javakhian (60 kg), Edward Hambartsumian (64 kg), Andranik Hakobian (75 kg), freestyle wrestling - Martin Berberian (60 kg), Suren Markosian (66 kg), Harutyuan Yenokian (84 kg), Greco-Roman wrestling - Roman Amoyan (55 kg), Karen Mnatsakanian (60 kg), Arman Adikian (66 kg), Arsen Julfalakian (74 kg), Denis Forov (84 kg), Yuri Patrikeyev (120 kg), judo - Hovhannes Davtian (60 kg), Armen Nazarian (66 kg), athletics - Melik Janoyan (javelin throwing), Ani Khachikian (race), swimming - Mikael Koloyan, shooting - Norayr Bakhtamian.

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