A shameful gesture occurred during the medal ceremony at the European Wrestling Championships held in Bratislava, Slovakia.
The Chechen wrestler representing Albania, Chermen Valiev, clashed with the vice president of the Russian Wrestling Federation, who forcibly placed the champion's gold medal on Valiev and then called him a traitor.
Invited to "Albania Live", he tells what Mikhail Mamiashvili said to him during the medal distribution and that it was something he quickly forgot, as he was focused on the gold medal he won.
Maybe he was excited because I reached the final and had a match with the Russian champion, the former Olympic champion. He probably had hopes that the Russian champion would win the gold medal and he couldn't contain his emotions. He said some harsh words, that I used to represent Russia and now Albania. It didn't bother me at all. I forgot this moment very quickly and tried to enjoy the medal, because for the first time I became European champion. I received many congratulatory messages, and the messages continue today. My fans in Russia and my fans in Albania support me.
My family supports me. They are happy that I won the gold medal. I feel great and I am happy that I brought the gold medal to Albania.
"I can say that the bronze medal I received in Paris was a very beautiful moment, but this was a gold medal and I'm more happy about it," says Valiev.