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Armenians are bidding today their last farewell to world-famous weightlifter, European and world champion Yuri Vardanyan.

Political, cultural and public figures, athletes, current and former officials, friends and many others were present at the memorial service for the athlete held at Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concert Complex in Yerevan.  

Vardanyan’s close friends described him as ‘a devoted friend, a very good and simple person who would rush to help everyone, including strangers’, living with the sorrows and happiness of the Armenian people. 

“Our friendship has begun since 1976. He was a great friend, who would help everyone, even strangers. All the doors were open in front of him, but he wouldn’t ask anything for himself, he would ask for others. We knew he was seriously ill and had left for the US for treatment. He said, ‘I will get will and work again’, he was always full of energy,” Karapet Ohanyan told reporters.

According to a government commission decision, he will be buried in Komitas Pantheon in Yerevan.

The Armenian weightlifting legend passed away on 2 November in the United States after long serious illness at the age of 62. Vardanyan was a seven-time world champion, five-time European champion and 1980 Olympic champion, who set 43 world records.