Wrestler Abrahamian files official complaint
Swedish Olympic wrestler Ara Abrahamian has filed an official complaint with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against the International Wrestling Federation (FILA).
Abrahamian renounced his bronze medal in Beijing in protest against the judges' assessment of his performance in the Men's Greco-Roman 84kg semi-final, which Abrahamian lost.
The dispute concerns the judging of the semi-final between Abrahamian and Andrea Minguzzi of Italy. Minguzzi was awarded the win by judges, much to the Swedish team's surprise and consternation.
Following that bout, FILA denied the Swedish Olympic Committee's request to file an official complaint regarding that particular bout.
At that point, there was uncertainty as to whether Abrahamian would compete for the bronze medal. He eventually won the third place bout but threw his medal on the ground after accepting the bronze medal at the presentation ceremony.
The IOC later confiscated what would have been Sweden's third medal.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport has decided to review whether FILA’s consideration of Abrahamian's request to change the result of the bout and to sanction the officials involved in the bout complied with the Olympic Charter and FILA’s own internal rules.
Abrahamian is not seeking a review regarding the allocation of medals nor of the IOC's decision to exclude him from the Beijing Games.
Tha CAS is to hold a hearing on the matter at 9am on Friday.
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Abrahamian renounced his bronze medal in Beijing in protest against the judges' assessment of his performance in the Men's Greco-Roman 84kg semi-final, which Abrahamian lost.
The dispute concerns the judging of the semi-final between Abrahamian and Andrea Minguzzi of Italy. Minguzzi was awarded the win by judges, much to the Swedish team's surprise and consternation.
Following that bout, FILA denied the Swedish Olympic Committee's request to file an official complaint regarding that particular bout.
At that point, there was uncertainty as to whether Abrahamian would compete for the bronze medal. He eventually won the third place bout but threw his medal on the ground after accepting the bronze medal at the presentation ceremony.
The IOC later confiscated what would have been Sweden's third medal.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport has decided to review whether FILA’s consideration of Abrahamian's request to change the result of the bout and to sanction the officials involved in the bout complied with the Olympic Charter and FILA’s own internal rules.
Abrahamian is not seeking a review regarding the allocation of medals nor of the IOC's decision to exclude him from the Beijing Games.
Tha CAS is to hold a hearing on the matter at 9am on Friday.
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