After their victory at the Olympiad in Istanbul the Armenian team received a warm welcome in their native country. At the Zvartnots airport in Yerevan the Armenian President greeted and congratulated the players, who also drove around in an open car, greeted by thousands of fans.

Yet again it became clear how big chess is in Armenia, the country that won the 40th Olympiad in Istanbul. As is now tradition, President Serzh Sargsyan, who is also the head of the chess federation, sent his private airplane to Istanbul to pick up the players. The winners flew to Yerevan on Monday evening and received an official welcome and state celebration.

At Zvartnots airport the President awaited the players, who won their third gold in four Olympiads. According to Armenpress an army of fans had gathered and after the grandmaster stepped out of the plane the national anthem of Armenia was played. The Armenian team consisted of Levon Aronian, Gabriel Sargissian, Tigran Petrosian, Vladimir Akopian and Sergei Movsesian.

After the official ceremony Serzh Sargsyan took the players to Liberty Square where they participated in a gala concert in their honor. The mayor of Yerevan had made sure that the square was decorated for the occasion.

Below is a video by Civilnet.tv (thanks Tarjei) and photos from the Olympiad website.

Dancers start the festivities at a chess-themed Liberty Square

The Armenian team together with their President

Team captai Arshak Petrosian (r.) shows the cup...

...and holds it up on stage

Levon Aronian also won gold on board one...

...here next to his good friend Gabriel Sargissian

A speech towards the fans by the captain of the team

The players leave the stage - Tigran Petrosian in front

Dancers at the end of the gala concert

A white car drove the players...

...through the streets of Yerevan...

...while they were cheered by many fans