David Akopyan with the Turkmenistan flag. Photo: Press Service of the Islamic Solidarity Games Organizers
Turkmenistan has withdrawn all of its athletes from the Islamic Solidarity Games without providing any explanation, leaving only swimmer David Akopyan to compete. Akopyan walked alone with the Turkmen flag during the opening ceremony, Gundogar reports.
Initially, Turkmenistan was expected to send 66 athletes to the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. They were registered to participate in track and field, boxing, karate, muay thai, swimming, volleyball, wrestling, weightlifting, as well as para athletics and para powerlifting. Most members of the Turkmen delegation had already been included in the start lists, indicating that their withdrawal came as a surprise to the organizers. Some athletes, particularly in weightlifting and wrestling, had been considered favorites.
By comparison, Uzbekistan was represented by 194 athletes, Kazakhstan by 99, Kyrgyzstan by 90, and Tajikistan by 65.
The sole Turkmen athlete, David Akopyan, competed in three events (50m and 100m butterfly, and the 200m individual medley) but did not achieve notable results.
Turkmen sports authorities have a history of eccentric decisions. The national futsal team unexpectedly withdrew from the 2024 Asian Cup qualifiers after the draw had already taken place, leading to a two-year suspension. Turkmen athletes are frequently barred from leaving the country without explanation.
