Court revokes ban on Swedish wrestler
Swedish wrestler Ara Abrahamian is free to return to competition following a decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to revoke a ban following his medal protest at the Beijing Olympic games, according to a report in Svenska Dagbladet (SvD).
"Feels good. Now it is up to me and not FILA (the International Wrestling Federation) to decide if I should stop wrestling or not," Ara Abrahamian told the newspaper.
The final word has not been said on the saga however but the decision by CAS is taken to mean that Abrahamian will be cleared to return to the sport with his punishment significantly reduced.
Abrahamian has not competed since throwing his bronze medal on the floor in disgust at a perceived erroneous decision by Italian judge Andrea Minguzzi in his semi-final bout at the Beijing games in August 2008.
Abrahamian was issued with a large fine and a two year ban for his protest at the medal ceremony. He was also stripped of his bronze medal and disqualified from the games.
The 33-year-old is yet to decide whether to resume competing but said to the newspaper that if he were to return to the ring it would be with the Olympic games in London in 2012 in mind.
The Local reported in February 2009 that CAS rejected Abrahamian's bid to have his medal reinstated. This decision has no bearing on that ruling.
Comments
See Also
"Feels good. Now it is up to me and not FILA (the International Wrestling Federation) to decide if I should stop wrestling or not," Ara Abrahamian told the newspaper.
The final word has not been said on the saga however but the decision by CAS is taken to mean that Abrahamian will be cleared to return to the sport with his punishment significantly reduced.
Abrahamian has not competed since throwing his bronze medal on the floor in disgust at a perceived erroneous decision by Italian judge Andrea Minguzzi in his semi-final bout at the Beijing games in August 2008.
Abrahamian was issued with a large fine and a two year ban for his protest at the medal ceremony. He was also stripped of his bronze medal and disqualified from the games.
The 33-year-old is yet to decide whether to resume competing but said to the newspaper that if he were to return to the ring it would be with the Olympic games in London in 2012 in mind.
The Local reported in February 2009 that CAS rejected Abrahamian's bid to have his medal reinstated. This decision has no bearing on that ruling.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.