Geno Petriashvili Distances Himself from Salome Zourabichvili's Political Views

"We have never wavered in our love for our homeland, people, and fans! This is our greatest victory and achievement! What President Zourabichvili said is unacceptable and incorrect.

I disagree with her political views, and like my friends, I believe our country needs a worthy president," he wrote on the social network Instagram.

Yesterday, on September 13, President Salome Zourabichvili awarded the participants of the 2024 Paris Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, along with their coaches, doctors, and representatives of the Olympic and Paralympic Committees, with various state honors. Among the recipients were Geno Petriashvili, Lasha Talakhadze, Lasha Bekauri, Giga Ockhikidze, and Lasha Shavdatuashvili, who were awarded the Order of Victory named after St. George. In her speech, Zourabichvili noted that they had earned not only medals, awards, and prizes, but also something "much greater, much more precious, and much more eternal" - the love of the people, "which cannot be replaced by anything."

After receiving her award, two-time Olympic champion Lasha Bekauri told reporters that she "completely dissociates" from Salome Zourabichvili's political views and believes Georgia "must have a more dignified, orthodox president who represents the interests of the Georgian people."