"Ramil Guliyev is now a hero, but six years ago he committed desertion," Vice President of NOC

Baku / 15.08.17 / Turan: At a press conference on August 15, the Vice President of the National Olympic Committee, head of the Athletics Federation of Azerbaijan, Chingiz Huseynzadeh tried to answer criticism in the media and social networks of his negative statements about the athlete Ramil Guliyev.

In the due time because of not creating conditions for his preparation for international competitions, the athlete went to Turkey and took the citizenship of this country. The Azerbaijani Federation in response demanded compliance with the so-called three-year quarantine of not performing for the national team of Turkey.

Last week, Guliyev became the world champion in a 200-meter race. At a press conference on August 15, Huseynzadeh described his success as a "historic victory". According to him, the Azerbaijani delegation congratulated the winner in London.

It turns out that the Azerbaijani delegation predicted Guliyev's victory before the finals, and agreed with the Turkish Federation that in this case the athlete would raise the flags of the two countries.

Further, Huseynzadeh accused journalists of "lack of professionalism" and "the pursuit of cheap sensations."

"Ramil Guliyev left Azerbaijan seven years ago. I remember the interview I gave six years ago. I will not deny anything and stand on my position. Today he is a hero and we are proud of him. However, today I can repeat my words, said 6 years ago that then he committed desertion," Huseynzadeh said.

According to him, Guliyev was not deprived of care in Azerbaijan either. "Ramil is the only sportsman in Azerbaijan, who was given an apartment at the age of 19 on the recommendation of the Federation. Guliyev was the most highly paid sportsman in Neftchi. Ramil Guliyev receives a salary from his club in Turkey. In Baku, he received a salary from Neftchi," Huseynzadeh said.

Further, Huseynzadeh began to assert that Guliyev "was not going to perform for Turkey at all, but from the age of 14 he dreamed of performing for the Russian national team." However, the leadership of the Russian Athletics Federation refused to accept Guliyev so as not to spoil relations with the Azerbaijani side, Huseynzadeh added.

He also blamed the ingratitude of the Ethiopian legionaries, who recently made statements in the world media about non-payment of the promised fees to them in Azerbaijan.

In particular, according to Huseynzadeh, Lajesh Abdullayeva bought a house in her country for the money earned in Azerbaijan and established a business. -06D--