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International Olympic Committee Involved in Tsarukyan-Avetisyan Feud?

In the opinion of Armenia Judo Federation President Aleksan Avetisyan, National Olympic Committee of Armenia (ARMNOC) President Gagik Tsarukyan is violating one of the main principles of the Olympic Charter: he’s involved in politics. 

Initiated by ARMNOC, a special session of the Armenia Judo Federation Executive Committee is to take place tomorrow, in which the issue of no-confidence regarding the federation’s president will be discussed. Avetisyan, who headed ARMNOC from 1992 to 1999, will not be participating in tomorrow’s meeting as he is currently in Switzerland participating in an International Judo Federation meeting, reports local daily Haykakan Jamanak (“Armenian Times”). According to the paper, Avetisyan said he has not submitted his resignation, and those who signed appeals for his resignation did so under the influence of fear and blackmail. 

“Pressure is being exerted on nearly all the members of the [Armenia] Judo Federation, and people were forced to sign that paper,” he said. 

He noted that International Judo Federation President Marius Vizer is aware of the situation and has expressed his discontent. According to Avetisyan, Vizer is preparing to inform International Olympic Committee directors about this issue, “demanding that the ARMNOC president’s illegal actions be brought to an end.”

Note that Marius Vizer will be arriving in Yerevan in his private jet at 6 pm today.