Xinhua, China
Aug 23 2008

Medal-dropping Abrahamian was right, said CAS

2008-08-24 00:20:16

BEIJING, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) — Swedish Greco-Roman wrestler Ara
Abrahamian who was stripped of Olympic bronze medal for dropping it in
disgust on the mat during the victory ceremony had the right to be
angry, according to Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Abrahamian complained to CAS that his penalty in the semifinal of
men’s Greco-Roman 84kg bout on Aug. 14 against Andrea Minguzzi of
Italy, who finally won the gold, wasn’t assessed until after the bout
was over.

The International Federation of Wrestling (FILA), the governing
body of world wrestling, then denied Abrahamian’s coach’s request for
a video review and refused to consider a protest.

Silver medallist in Athens 2004 Games Abrahamian, 28, was stopped
from going after referees following his loss. He stormed away from the
mixed-zone and punched a door to the dressing room.

He went to the repechage matches after some friends’ persuading
and won a bronze. But Abrahamian walked off the podium and dropped his
medal on the mat and walked away. He declared that he retired.

The International Olympic Committee stripped Abrahamian’s bronze
for violating the spirit of fair play on Aug. 15.

The Armenian-born Abrahamian initially wanted referees in the bout
punished and his medal back.

"We limit ourselves to ruling that FILA must, consistently with
the (Olympic) Charter and general principles of fairness, establish
for the future a jury of appeal to determine the validity or otherwise
of complains of that kind ventilated by Abrahamian," wrote the judges.

Judges of CAS said Abrahamian was right, who also noted several
times that FILA did not appear at the hearing.

Editor: Xinhuanet