Armenia is still serving the ban on participation in international weightlifting tournaments because of doping use, but another Armenian athlete, Sona Poghosyan has tested positive for a prohibited drug.
Mediamax Sport has talked to head coach of the women’s team Artashes Nersisyan and his assistant, Sona Poghosyan’s personal coach Arman Ghazaryan.
Arman Ghazaryan
Sona Poghosyan denies using prohibited drugs and the coaches have no relevant information, but we do not take anyone’s word for it at the moment.
I blame myself, as I am her personal coach, but I was unaware what was happening with her.
We are fighting against the use of prohibited drugs, we could not be a part of that kind of violation.
Photo: Sona Poghosyan's personal archive
The Armenian Weightlifting Federation held a conference after the national youth championship, during which the coaches were informed about their dismissal.
It pains me to see that all medals and achievements have meant nothing in the end and the coaches get all the blame.
I would like to point out that head coach Artashes Nersisyan is not at fault in this situation. I take the whole blame. I believe that Mr Nersisyan should not be held responsible.
Artashes Nersisyan
The guilty parties need to speak out and explain why they did what they did.
If I thought that I didn’t explain enough the danger and harm of prohibited drugs, I would be able to understand what my fault here is. But I spoke on this topic even more than about training and weightlifting, and girls would ask me to leave it, because they already understood everything.
You can’t be more meticulous than I was. I kept the list of prohibited drugs updated and even expelled athletes from the training camp because they used drugs they didn’t agree on with us.
I cannot understand why Sona would take the drug. It only works for 20-25 days and doesn’t even help with results in sport. She would compete in the tournament six months later.
Photo: Mediamax
I have talked with her, but she didn’t explain anything, just cried. I don’t exclude the possibility that she took the drug, because she tested positive. But if she didn’t do it, she and he coach can bring an action against the laboratory and try to clarify things.
All athletes pass international tests and they know that the ultimate responsibility is theirs. Coaches get punished in Armenia, but the athlete is responsible.
I simply dream of the times when the coach is only responsible for the sport issues in Armenia, and issues like this are managed by the corresponding specialists.
I understand the decision of the Weightlifting Federation and the Ministry of Sport. They have to take action.
This is a huge blow. I have worked for 15 year, my athletes won over 200 medals. We represented our country with dignity and made a significant contribution to establishment of women’s weightlifting. I am upset not because I am blamed for this situation, but because I don’t deserve to be thrown out of weightlifting in this manner.
Comments
Dear visitors, You can place your opinion on the material using your Facebook account. Please, be polite and follow our simple rules: you are not allowed to make off - topic comments, place advertisements, use abusive and filthy language. The editorial staff reserves the right to moderate and delete comments in case of breach of the rules.