Ramil Guliyev: Main target to grab high medal in Tokyo Olympics - INTERVIEW

Istanbul.14 October. REPORT.AZ/ Gold medalist of the 16th World Championships in Athletics in London, the Azerbaijani athlete Ramil Guliyev gave an interview to Turkey bureau of Report News Agency.

- With your victory you became the pride not only of Turkey and Azerbaijan but the whole Turkic world. Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan have congratulated you…

- Frankly speaking we had prepared for the championship very hard. Before going to the competition we knew that we will return to country with a medal but we didn’t know the color of medal. We came back to the country with medal of yellow color, I am very happy. After the victory I was so excited that could get over this for ten days. I am grateful to everyone who supported, congratulated me and happy about my successes. Yes, the leaders of two countries have congratulated me. Being frankly I didn’t expect that they will call me. I was very glad. 20-30 minutes after competition Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called me. One day later President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev spoke with me, both of them said nice words and congratulated. These congratulations were the best award I received for result of my victory.

- How did it feel to experience the pleasure of victory along with flags of Azerbaijan and Turkey?

- I am an Azerbaijani and came from Baku. I will never forget that. My main target was to gain victory at such a major competition and run around at the stadium with flags of both countries. I did that for the first time during the 4th Islamic Solidarity Games in Baku. I got the second chance at the world championship. Being a winner and appearing before the world wrapped in flag of both states that are motherland for you. It is really an amazing feeling.

- When did you come to Turkey? What else did you achieve here?

- I came to Turkey in 2010, and since 2014 I've started to represent Turkey in competitions. I qualified for final of the world championship in Turkey. In 2016 I took the second place in the 200-meter completion in Europe. Winning the world championship is my biggest victory so far.

- You might be selected as the best athlete of the continent by European Athletic Federation on October 14. How do you assess your chances among three nominees?

- The results will be known today. But according to media reports, as far as I know it should comprise 25% of points. Besides, there will be jury voting within the organization. Honestly, we also wait for results. If God wills, it will be nice.

- We also closely follow you on social media. After the victory millions of people have shared your success…

- Yes, I received a lot of congratulations and it made me very happy. One day after victory I found out that 9000 messages came. Everyone congratulated me. Never been so happy before to give joy to so many people. Besides that, I think it was a good promotion of athletics. Hopefully, from now on the interest to this sport will grow even more. Young people and teenagers will compete to be the best athlete and fight for victory. In my opinion, sport educates the person, life can’t be without sport. We must make it a part of our life and give importance to it.

- You also achieved great success at the Islamic Solidarity Games in Baku. It seems as if this success encouraged you even better.

- The 4th Islamic Solidarity Games were professionally organized in Baku. Azerbaijan has a great experience in organization of similar competitions. Yes, I returned from Azerbaijan to Istanbul with three medals. Running 100, 200 and 4x100-meter dashes. At the time of winning my compatriots congratulated me with applauds.

- Were you offered to return to Azerbaijan after becoming the world champion or did you get offers from other countries?

- No, I did not receive such an offer. Because now I work for Turkey. When I came from Azerbaijan to Turkey there were invites from many countries. But I chose Turkey and decided to come here. Because Turkey and Azerbaijan have a lot of things in common and cultures are very close. We are one nation. This country became very suitable for me. I did not want to go to Europe or other state. One of the reason was that I wanted to be closer to my home and family. I think it was the right decision. I feel myself as if came to another city of the same country.

- Considering that Usain Bolt ended his career can we say that it is more real for you to preserve the title of the world champion?

- Yes, you are right. I have a great responsibility. I think I must work very hard. If I don’t get an injury, I will continue to do my best. If God wills, I want to achieve even better results.

- What are your next targets and what competitions do you plan to participate?

- Next year, European Championship will be held in Berlin. Preparation for this completion is underway. In the near future I plan to take part in this competition. My main target is to return with high-grade medal from 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Vusala Abbasova