Estonia’s Olympic delegation turned out to be the most modest in 30 years

It hopes to send 25 athletes to the Summer Olympics, which open on July 26 in Paris – the smallest team since the restoration of independence.

According to EOC sports director Martti Raju, Estonia currently has 9 guaranteed Olympic places and will definitely be represented in five sports – cycling, athletics, shooting, swimming, fencing. “Olympic qualifications are still underway in many areas, and in some areas it remains to be decided. According to the forecast, Estonia can present 25 athletes at the Paris Olympics, which is, of course, less than we expected. It becomes more and more difficult for small countries every year. The final composition must be approved by the EOC Executive Committee no later than July 5,” Raiu said.

The largest Summer Olympic team during the restoration of independence represented Estonia at the 2016 Rio Olympics, with 46 athletes, and the smallest team was at the London 2012 Olympics, with 32 athletes. .

The Paris Olympic Games Organizing Committee hopes that the games in the French capital will be as open as possible, and that the performances of 10,500 athletes will be seen by 15 million spectators. For the first time, an equal number of men and women will compete. A total of 329 medals will be awarded in 32 sports, and for the first time medals will be awarded in breakdancing.