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Sore loser Swedish wrestler throws away bronze medal

MichiganMichigan Posts: 4,942 ✭
in Sports Talk
Swedish wrestler Ara Abrahamian threw away the bronze medal he won in the Greco-Roman category in disgust in a protest over judging in his semifinal bout.


Abrahamian was beaten in the 84 kg class by eventual gold medal winner Andrea Minguzzi of Italy but was furious with the verdict, shouting at the referee before confronting the judges.

The Athens silver medal winner had to be restrained by teammates and later went on to win a bronze medal match.

But the row continued at the medal ceremony as he only grudgingly mounted the podium and after receiving his medal made a point of taking it off and leaving it in the center of the competition mat.

Swedish fans in the arena disagreed strongly with the original decision, jeering the judges, while coach Leo Myllari also weighed in.

"It's all politics," he said.

The medal was later returned to the sport's governing body.

Comments

  • jimq112jimq112 Posts: 3,511 ✭✭✭
    One of the people I deliver mail to has 4 olympic medals in wrestling, and he's one of the nicest soft spoken people on my route. Not all his medals are gold, and he's said many times he's blessed to have any medals and the opportunity to win them.

    That wrestler tarnished what he worked all his life for. If I read correctly he lost a 2-1 decision. Now because of his antics he may lose the medal he won.


    I wonder if andre rison ever regrets throwing away his super bowl ring?
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  • bdunndchibdunndchi Posts: 650
    What a sore loser.
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  • dallasactuarydallasactuary Posts: 4,338 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I didn't see it so I won't judge. I did see several obviously fixed boxing matches at the Seoul Olympics and the granddaddy of all fixed contests, the US-Soviet Union basketball final at Munich. In both cases, medals were refused and I could not have agreed more; why would any athlete want a constant reminder of their most painful memory, not to mention a medal that they did not deserve?

    So, if Abrahamian was truly cheated then I say more power to him.
    This is for you @thisistheshow - Jim Rice was actually a pretty good player.
  • JackWESQJackWESQ Posts: 2,133 ✭✭✭
    Winning is important. But when it comes to the Olympics, I think participation is more important. So even though I know nothing about what happened other than the wrestler "threw" away his medal, I think he should have accepted the medal.

    /s/ JackWESQ
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  • BarndogBarndog Posts: 20,492 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I didn't see it so I won't judge. I did see several obviously fixed boxing matches at the Seoul Olympics and the granddaddy of all fixed contests, the US-Soviet Union basketball final at Munich. In both cases, medals were refused and I could not have agreed more; why would any athlete want a constant reminder of their most painful memory, not to mention a medal that they did not deserve?

    So, if Abrahamian was truly cheated then I say more power to him. >>



    I agree with you. I would like to see a replay of the match to see if he was ripped off
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  • stevekstevek Posts: 29,035 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Could have sold it for good money on ebay. LOL
  • stevekstevek Posts: 29,035 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Wonder if this was the same guy from the movie Heartbreak Ridge?

  • estangestang Posts: 1,322 ✭✭✭
    I don't think you can say participation is more important than winning in the Olympics. Participation in major pro sports gets you a paycheck no matter what.
    Enjoy your collection!
    Erik
  • JackWESQJackWESQ Posts: 2,133 ✭✭✭
    I think the Olympics is the exception to the "rule" that winning is everything/only thing. Really, outside of the Olympics, how often, if ever, do you hear athletes say it is okay/acceptable to not win.

    I was driving home last night after dinner and heard a local sports radio show interviewing Jason Lezak. Lezak tied for 3rd in the 100-meter freestyle (bronze medal) and said that he was perfectly happy with the bronze because, for him, it meant that he was one of the three fastest swimmers in the world in the 100 meters. That's just one example.

    I think one of the more famous examples is Derek Redmond at the 1992 Olympics. Redmond ran the 400 meters and during the 400-meters semi-final, he tore his hamstring, but still finished the race with the assistance of his father.

    Winners get all the [ESPN] glory, but I don't think that is what the Olympics is about nor what Pierre de Coubertin intended it to be.

    /s/ JackWESQ
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  • perkdogperkdog Posts: 30,659 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I see no problem with what he did, out of frustration I might have done the same thing.
  • BobaFett72BobaFett72 Posts: 7,304
    thats 'cause your a sore loser Paul....

    plus I heard you had some bad wrestling experiences.. AHem.
  • perkdogperkdog Posts: 30,659 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>thats 'cause your a sore loser Paul....

    plus I heard you had some bad wrestling experiences.. AHem. >>




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