This Gesture Is an Attack on Sports Values: EWF Issues Statement

The European Weightlifting Federation (EWF) has issued a statement regarding the burning of the Azerbaijani flag during the opening ceremony of the Weightlifting European Championships in Yerevan.

"The European Weightlifting Federation strongly condemns the incident that occurred on April 14 during the opening ceremony of the European Weightlifting Championships in Yerevan, where a man burned the Azerbaijani flag. The EWF considers this extremely serious and regrettable gesture to be an attack on the integrity of sports values and the universal principles of fair play.

The EWF has immediately responded to this incident, expressing its firm position to the Organizing Committee and requesting additional guarantees for all participants in this competition.

The EWF has consistently stood in full solidarity with the Azerbaijani delegation, supporting its athletes, coaches, and officials. We regret that the delegation of the Republic of Azerbaijan had to leave the competition, but we simultaneously respect that decision. We were directly involved in ensuring all security conditions before the delegation's departure from Armenia.

The EWF will not overlook this event and will consider the possibility of taking additional measures in the context of what has occurred. The leadership of the EWF will participate in all events held within the framework of this championship until the delegations leave, ensuring that all security conditions for the teams are maintained.

The EWF stands in solidarity with the Azerbaijani national team and the Azerbaijani federation and is available for any form of assistance required to align with the spirit of sport and fair play," the statement reads.