55-year-old Nino Salukvadze, a famous Georgian athlete and shooter, will participate in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. This will be her tens Olympic Games, equaling the Olympic record set by Canadian equestrian Ian Millar, who participated in the Olympics from 1972 to 2008.
Nino Salukvadze began her Olympic career in 1988, representing the Soviet Union, and has since not missed a single Olympics, later representing independent Georgia. In 2016, at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, she competed alongside her 19-year-old son Tsotne Machavariani, who has already ended his sports career, while Nino continues to compete and prepare for new victories.
In Paris, Nino Salukvadze will compete in the 25-meter air pistol shooting event. This is her specialty, in which she has achieved numerous successes throughout her career. She will be the only representative of Georgia in shooting.
After passing the Olympic qualification, Nino mentioned that she might skip the tournament in Paris due to deteriorating eyesight, but later, the Georgian NOC confirmed her participation.
Brief Biography of Nino Salukvadze
- Year of Birth: 1969
- Olympic Achievements:
- Gold at the 1988 Olympic Games
- Silver at the 2008 Olympic Games
- World Achievements:
- 6-time World Champion (last time in 1991)
- Silver at the 2002 World Championship
- 4-time European Champion (last time in 1993)
Repeating the record for the number of Olympic participations is an incredible achievement, especially considering the complexity and competition of Olympic qualification. With each new Olympic cycle, the demands for physical preparation, psychological resilience, and professionalism of athletes increase. Nino Salukvadze has managed not only to maintain her form but also to adapt to changes in the sport, remaining at the top for over three decades.
Her example inspires not only young athletes but also everyone who believes in the strength of the human spirit and determination. On the eve of the 2024 Olympic Games, the whole of Georgia and sports fans around the world will eagerly await Nino's performance, hoping to see her on the podium once again.