“I would like to thank the esteemed President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov for the conditions created for sports. I dedicate this medal to our President and our Turkmen people in honour of the thirtieth anniversary of the independence of Turkmenistan,” Polina Guryeva said in her video message from the Japanese capital city.

The XXXII Summer Olympic Games, taking place these days in the capital of Japan, Tokyo, opened a new page in the history of sports in Turkmenistan – the first Olympic medal was won. Its winner was Polina Guryeva, who took the second place in weightlifting competitions in the 59 kg weight category. Accepting congratulations from her mother, who managed with great difficulty to make a phone call to Tokyo, Polina said she had dedicated her victory and a silver medal to the 30th anniversary of independence to her beloved Motherland.