Ivan Tsikhan: “I was desirous of winning a medal, and I completed this task”

8 years over Ivan Tsikhan mounted the Olympic podium again. Belarusian shot putter was among the front-runners, but he didn’t excelled Tajik champion Dilshod Nazarov. With the result 77.79m achieved, the athlete from Grodno region won a silver medal.

“Why so sad? There’s no matter for sadness – we have another Olympic medal”, - he jestingly told to the journalists in the mixed-zone.

“Ivan, what was your true goal?”

“I figured on fine results, and I made it. This silver medal has a golden shimmer. Of course, it would be great if I won the gold”.

“Wojciech Nowicki was too close to catch up on you, when he threw the shot 6sm lesser than your result were”.

“You know, everyone among top 8 athletes in the final were equally worth one another: Nowicki, Nazarov, Tsikhan... No matter how skilled you are, human factor always hampers you”.

“We saw you come to the arena sector with the Belarusian flag”.

“I wanted to talk to Vadzim Dzevyatouski. Before I start I always listen to the inner voice. Than I listened to Vadzim, and our opinions concurred”.

“What were you thinking about, when you had the last chance to win Nazarov?”

“I was trying to focus, but that evening fortune was on the side of Nazarov, whom I respect immensely”.

“Young athletes called you Ivan Georgievich”.

“There’s no need to make me older. I’m grateful to the fate that I bare the life test. Long years of deliberate pause past, I returned at the Olympiad. I wash the youngsters will be more successful. I’m ready to help them as a role model”.

“We all want to know whether such veteran like you will take part in Tokyo next time.”

“The Olympiad in Rio saw even more elderly athletes. I can’t say ahead, but for now I don’t plan to finish my career. I feel strong enough yet”.