Seven Olympic medals for Bulgaria in Paris

The tally for Bulgaria from the 2024 Paris Olympics is seven medals - three gold, one silver and three bronze, which is one more than the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. The accolades came on two consecutive days at the end of the highest sporting forum.

On August 8, Semen Novikov won a gold medal in the 87kg classical wrestling category,

"I hope I have brought a lot of joy to the Bulgarian people after this medal. I know that Russians are very loved in Bulgaria, but I hope that more people will love Ukrainians as well," said the Ukrainian-born Olympic champion who competes for Bulgaria.

On the same day,  boxer Javier Ibaniez, taekwondo athlete Kimia Alizadeh and heavyweight athlete Bozhidar Andreev took bronze.

A day later, Karlos Nasar, who set two world records in the 89 kg weightlifting category - 404 kg in the double and 224 kg in the snatch - and wrestler Magomed Ramazanov in the 86 kg freestyle stood on the top step of the podium. 

Rhythmic gymnast Boryana Kaleyn, on the other hand, put a stellar finish to her career by winning a silver medal in the all-around individual event.

"I would leave a message to all young people not to stop working for their dreams because they really do come true. I have no way of knowing if I will become an Olympic champion, but I wanted to give courage to other Bulgarians - we should step here with pride," said Karlos Nasar.

"I had to win the struggle with myself first. I thought about my failures in the past, I was ready to do everything for the Olympic title, I rallied and won. It was very difficult, especially the last year - my father passed away 3 years ago and it was a very difficult moment in my life," said Magomed Ramazanov.

Bulgaria participated in Paris with 46 athletes in 16 sports - badminton, boxing, wrestling, weightlifting, rowing, judo, canoe-kayak, athletics, modern pentathlon, swimming, gymnastics, shooting, taekwondo, tennis, fencing and rhythmic gymnastics.