Olympic medalists Anastasia Nichita and Serghei Tarnovschi returned home
The Moldovan competitors, who "wrote history" in Paris - wrestler Anastasia Nichita and canoeist Serghei Tarnovschi - brought the medals home. The athletes and their coaches were welcomed like heroes at Chisinau International Airport. State leadership, members of the federations and relatives of the laureates - they all came to congratulate the athletes.
The last athletes of our Olympic team, who were present last night at the closing ceremony of the Olympics, returned home, and among them - Anastasia Nichita, who won the silver medal in women's freestyle wrestling, and Serghei Tarnovschi, who got the "bronze" to canoe. There were flowers, applause, hugs and the music of the Border Police brass bands - a beautiful atmosphere for the return of the heroes of the Paris Olympics. The head of state, Maia Sandu, also congratulated the athletes.
"It was a very warm reception, I said that as much support as I had here, I probably didn't have at any other competition. I'm very happy that people came together, congratulated me, they rejoiced from the heart for the result and my success", said Anastasia Nichita.
"I am pleased to note that people in this country are so passionate about sports. We make them happy with results, and they come to see us, to take pictures with us... There is harmony, there are many positive emotions that we want to offer to people", said Serghei Tarnovschi.
Moldovan athletes won 4 medals at the Olympic Games in Paris. Apart from Anastasia Nichita's "silver" and Serghei Tarnovschi's "bronze", two judokas, Denis Vieru and Adil Osmanov, obtained a bronze medal each.