Tehran, Iran, June 9, 2020: Iranian discus thrower Ehsan Hadadi says he has really missed competing during the COVID-19 pandemic and can’t wait to get back into action, reports the Tehran Times.
Hadadi, 35, tested positive for the coronavirus in late March but has fully recovered after a long period of self-quarantine.
“I am training in Kish Island at the moment and keep in touch with my American trainer Mac Wilkins,” Hadadi said.
“I miss competing and want to participate in the Gyulai István Memorial in Hungary. I’ve not participated in any event for eight months and I really miss it,” he added, referring to the meet scheduled for August 20.
“I love throwing the discus and I hope that the Hungarian meeting will not be canceled due to coronavirus,” the 2012 Olympic Games silver medalist stated.
The four-time Asian Games gold medalist - from 2006 to 2018 - is going to compete at his fourth Olympic Games in Tokyo next year - and possibly Paris 2024.
“I am still an Olympic silver medalist, not an Olympic champion. I am always thinking of my fifth throw that I fouled at London 2012. I always feel like if I had got that throw right I could now be an Olympic champion.
"I like the sound of ‘Olympic champion’ - I don’t like the sound of ‘this guy is the Olympic silver medalist’,” he said.