Milton A. Bot

The opening of the exhibition "The Golden Age of Bulgarian Wrestling"*took place*at the FILA headquarters in Corsier-sur-Vevey on 29 May 2009. This exhibition is the first event put*up within the framework of*the cycle of presentation of the National Wrestling Federations. It*presents the milestones of Bulgarian wrestling in a very interesting and didactic way, from its traditional roots to the numerous Olympic exploits accomplished by Bulgarian wrestlers. During the commented visit, the guests could*learn that the Bulgarian Wrestling Federation has organised 23 World and European Championships and won 1160 Olympic, World, and European medals throughout its history. The Champions present at*the*opening already totaled 50 OIympic and World medals. The visitors could also discover the magnificient sculptures dedicated to the wrestling lengend and patron of the arts, Mr. Boyan Radev, who announced that they would all be donated to FILA to be part of its permanent collection. On his part, President Martinetti*decorated Mr. Radev with the FILA Golden Chain, the highest honour usually reserved for Heads of State in activity, that had only be awarded to the triple Olympic Champions, Mr.*Alexander Karelin and Mr. Alexander Medved. Attended the event as well Mr. Tzeno Tzenov, FILA Bureau member and President of the European Council (CELA), Mr. Valentin Jordanov, President of the Bulgarian Wrestling Federation, Mr. Petar Kirov, Hall of Fame inductee for his two Olympic titles and three World titles in Greco-Roman wrestling, and Mr. Lechezar Dimitrov, Chief Education Officer at the Bulgarian Sport Academy who awarded Mr. Martinetti with the title of Doctor Honoris Causa in November 2007. Mr. Atanas Pavlov, Bulgarian ambassador in Switzerland, also honoured FILA with his presence and read the letter addressed to FILA for the occasion by the President of the Bulgarian Republic, Mr. Guerogui Parvanov. FILA also thanks the representative of the National Federations, IOC and International Federations who participated in the event, as well as the two members of the council of Corsier-sur-Vevey, Mrs. Ursula Bucher and Mr. Pierre-André Debétaz. The ceremony, marked by warmth and friendliness, was followed by a*beautiful performance*by the folk*company "Bulgaré"*that held the audience spellbound with its lively traditional dances and songs. Finally, a meal was served in the park whose summery atmosphere*was highly appreciated by all guests.

matclone

When was the golden age of Bulgarian wrestling?