United World Wrestling (UWW) president Nenad Lalovic officially opened the European Senior Championships in Bucharest during a celebration held on Monday at the capital city's Polyvalent Hall.

Romania has a long tradition in wrestling, and in recent years it has become a staple in major international competitions. Gathered today in Bucharest are Europe's best wrestles, in an Olympic year where each of them has the qualification to the Olympic Games in Paris on their mind. I thank the Romanian Wrestling Federation and our hosts for the organization. I wish the athletes success and exhort them to give their best on the mat this week, so that the spectators can enjoy a thrilling show, said Lalovic.

President of the Romanian Wrestling Federation Razvan Pircalabu said that he did not have the opportunity to compete in such a tournament in Romania, but is glad that he managed to organize the European Championships in Bucharest for Team Romania.

In his turn, leader of UWW Europe Karl Martin Dittmann, said: As the president of UWW Europe, I welcome you to the European Senior Championships in Bucharest. I thank the Romanian Wrestling Federation for the organization and wish the athletes the best of success in this competition, as well as in the pre-Olympic tournaments.

Also attending the opening ceremony, president of the National Sports Agency Elisabeta Lipa voiced hopes that the Romanian wrestlers will be able to win as many medals as possible on their own turf.

President of the Romanian Olympic and Sports Committee Mihai Covaliu told the athletes to use the current European Championships to test their level before the Olympic Games in Paris.

About 1,100 athletes from 48 countries participate in the 2024 edition of the European Wrestling Championship taking place between February 12 - 18 at the Polyvalent Hall in Bucharest.

Romania is represented by a group of 30 athletes, 10 in each freestyle, Greco-Roman, and women's wrestling categories.

At the European Championships in Zagreb last year, the Romanian wrestlers succeeded for the first time in 43 years to clinch two gold medals through Andreea Beatrice Ana in the women's 55-kg class, and Alexandra Nicoleta Anghel - in the women's 72-kg class. The tally was completed by three bronze medals won by Catalina Axente in the women's 76-kg class, Kriszta Tunde Incze - women's 65-kg class, and Denis Florin Mihai - men's Greco-Roman 55-kg class. AGERPRES (RO - author: Marius Tone, editor: Mihai Tenea; EN - editor: Simona Klodnischi)