The athletes who will participate in the Paris Olympics were handed over the state flag. At the ceremony dedicated to this event, President Maia Sandu said that the flag is not only a symbol of the nation, but also represents the hopes of fellow citizens and is a symbol of the unity, courage and invincible spirit of the Moldovan people. The head of state encouraged the athletes to go to the Olympics with confidence and dignity and to compete fairly, IPN reports.

“Only the best of the best get to participate in the Olympic Games and for each of you this means an extraordinary achievement, while for us it means great pride for our entire country. We all know that, after thousands of hours of exhausting work, trauma, pain, sacrifice, the participation in the most prestigious sorts competition in the world is a worthy reward. The dream of any professional athlete is to participate in the Olympic Games and return home with a medal,” said President Sandu. The official stressed that in recent years, the state has thought to do more for high-performance sports, such as increasing scholarships, improving training, and continues to improve the conditions for high-performance sports, but also for mass sports.

Minister of Education and Research Dan Perciun said the participation in the Olympic Games is a proof of the athletes’ talent, determination and hard work for many years. “We wish you good luck in competitions and hope that you will bring home as many medals as possible. Regardless of the results, you are already winners for us because you have shown that work and perseverance can overcome any obstacle,” the minister said in his message to the athletes.

Nicolae Juravschi, president of the National Olympic and Sports Committee, expressed his conviction that the athletes are ready to do their best. 

Archers Dan Olaru and Alexandra Mîrca will carry the state flag at the Paris Olympic Games. Dan Olaru promised that they will wear the tricolor with pride and determination and that they will do everything possible to show the whole world that Moldova is a country with talented people.

The team that will represent the Republic of Moldova at the Summer Olympics is composed of 26 athletes who will compete in 10 sports events. The 33rd edition of the Olympic Games will take place in Paris between July 26 and August 11.