Meetings with different national sports federations at the Georgian National Olympic Committee continue. Today the leaders of the Federations of Athletics, Taekwondo, Boat Racing and Cycle Racing visited the GEONOC office.

‘As of today, 6 athletes who can fulfill the licensing standards, aspire for the licenses of the London Olympic Games. Among them, shot putter Mariam Kevkhishvili, who lives and trains in the USA, is sure to gain the license. Sprinter Davit Ilariani and triple jumper Lasha Lulelauri also show promise. The latter is a talented athlete who is improving his performance from day to day. Shot putter Salome Rigishvili has good chances as well. In short, earning of 3 Olympic licenses are quite likely; maximum program is winning 4-5 licenses', the Head of Athletics Federation Alexsandre Akhvlediani informed Gia Natsvlishvili, President of GEONOC. Prior to the London Olympic Games, Georgian athletes have to participate in the Istanbul World Athletics Indoors Championship and European Championship in Helsinki.

We also vest hopes in cycle racer Giorgi Nadiradze, who, according to the President of Federation Beso Nadiradze, can meet the licensing standards. GEONOC and Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs jointly resolved to send him on assignment to the Verona Cycle Racing Club in Italy, where he will train and get good experience, which will enhance his chances of gaining the Olympic license.

Boat Racer Zaza Nadiradze's stay in Ukraine on team practice session is already financed by GEONOC and according to the leaders of the Federation, he has good chances of winning the Olympic license. The boat racers will participate in the licensing tournament in Poznan in May.

As for Taekwondo, the prospects of our athletes seem to be rather vague. Their only chance will be the European Taekwondo Championship in Kazan, where they will have to get in the group of 3 top athletes.