Baku European Games: Simon Clegg hopes for cheers not jeers for Armenians

Clegg’s desire that “people will appreciate athletic performances irrespective of which country competes” will be sorely tested later on Saturday as Armenian veteran Greco-Roman wrestler Roman Amoyan faces off against Azeri Elman Mukhtarov in the bronze medal play-off in the 59 kilogramme category.

Indeed the 31-year-old Armenian — who among many medals has accrued an Olympic bronze in 2008 and also silver at the 2009 world championships — was jeered and booed in his morning bouts.

This followed hot on the heels of the fiery reception spectators gave the small Armenian delegation when they entered the Olympic Stadium on Friday.

The two Caucasus countries have been locked in conflict since a bloody war in the early 1990s following the breakup of the Soviet Union.

Clegg, one of British sport’s most experienced administrators and who was integral to London’s successful bid to host the 2012 Olympics, said the fact Armenia were at the Games at all was an achievement in itself.

“Bearing in mind the difficulties between the two countries it demonstrates the power of sport that Armenia is here participating,” said Clegg.

“To have all 50 European NOCs (National Olympic Committees) marching sent an incredibly positive message.

“I recognise there were some reactions from elements of the public to the marching of certain delegations.

“But we have spent some time looking at a range of scenarios,” added the 55-year-old.

The decision by the Armenians to compete was a considerable diplomatic coup for European Olympic Committee president Pat Hickey who laboured long and hard to persuade them to come.

He even earned praise from a European parliamentarian for managing the feat as she had failed to even get their diplomatic representatives to meet in her office after years of trying.

The Armenia team had been anticipating a ‘warm’ welcome and they duly got it as their delegation — seemingly comprising not athletes but officials — was jeered.

Some spectators chanted ‘Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan’ and brandished the national flag.

Their enmity dates back to the early part of the 20th century before being cut short by them becoming part of the Soviet Union.

However, once the Soviet Union disappeared, violence reared its head again and Yerevan-backed ethnic Armenian separatists seized control of Nagorny Karabakh during the 1990s conflict that left some 30,000 dead.

Despite years of negotiations, the two countries have not signed a final peace deal following a shaky 1994 truce, and clashes have intensified over the past year along the Karabakh frontline.

The predominantly Armenian-populated region is internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan.

Baku, whose military spending exceeds Armenia’s entire state budget, has threatened to take back the disputed territory by force if negotiations fail to yield results.

Backed militarily by Russia, Armenia says it could crush any offensive.