Swedish wrestler loses bid to have Olympic bronze reinstated
The sporting world’s highest court on Monday rejected an appeal by Swedens’ Ara Abrahamian to have his Olympic bronze medal for wrestling reinstated.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport said that Abrahamian's behaviour was "in breach of the Olympic Charter and of the IOC Protocol Guide" when the wrestler discarded his medal in protest during the Beijing Olympics.
Abrahamian was subsequently stripped of his medal.
"Such behaviour was not justified, even though the athlete had the personal conviction that several sporting decisions related to his semi-final at the Olympic Games were not correct," said the CAS.
Abrahamian dumped his bronze medal on the floor in protest at the judging in the Greco-Roman wrestling event and was subsequently disqualified from the Beijing Olympics last year.
Abrahamian thought he had beaten Andrea Minguzzi, the eventual gold medalist, in the semi-finals, but the match was awarded to the Italian.
The Swede grudgingly climbed the podium after finishing third in the 84kg class but he left the medal at the centre of the competition mat before stalking off with his fist raised.
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The Court of Arbitration for Sport said that Abrahamian's behaviour was "in breach of the Olympic Charter and of the IOC Protocol Guide" when the wrestler discarded his medal in protest during the Beijing Olympics.
Abrahamian was subsequently stripped of his medal.
"Such behaviour was not justified, even though the athlete had the personal conviction that several sporting decisions related to his semi-final at the Olympic Games were not correct," said the CAS.
Abrahamian dumped his bronze medal on the floor in protest at the judging in the Greco-Roman wrestling event and was subsequently disqualified from the Beijing Olympics last year.
Abrahamian thought he had beaten Andrea Minguzzi, the eventual gold medalist, in the semi-finals, but the match was awarded to the Italian.
The Swede grudgingly climbed the podium after finishing third in the 84kg class but he left the medal at the centre of the competition mat before stalking off with his fist raised.
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