Wrestler stripped of bronze medal?

Question

http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/beijing/wrestling/news?slug=ap-wre-medalstripped&prov=ap&type=lgns

"for violating the spirit of fair play during the medal ceremony"

What do you think of this? And who were the other athletes that were stripped of medals?

Answer 1

Its unfortunate to feel like you were cheated in a way especially if you have trained your whole life for one event, but in any case you are representing your country and alot of people look up to you. To throw an olympic medal on the mat is poor taste and extremely bad sportsmanship.

Its disappointing that grown ups involved in a part of history would act like this and he deserves to reap the reprucussions for acting in such a childish way. Many times people get the unfair call or bad break it happens but unfortunately its just the way it is sometimes.

Also think of it this way, if it was him that got the call but if it happened in his favor would he still have threw down a medal because it was unfairly judged? No because he would have got the good side of the break, he just acted poorly and on a worldwide stage while representing his country.  

Answer 2

Absolutely not.

There's nothing wrong with wanting to win the gold.

His act of throwing the medal to the floor is a slap in the face to not just all Olympic athletes, but to all the athletes that tried to get on their country's Olympic team.

Even more so the the person he beat out for the spot on the team. If I was that person, I would be extremely angered. To think that this person who is representing my country would act in such a childish manner, beat me out of the spot on the team and to reject the medal in such a manner is infuriating.

At least the other guy, in 1992, was respectful in his actions and PLACED the medal down.

I hope that he will banned for life.

Here is he is, competing among the world's best. He places 3rd, again among the world's best and when he doesn't get the rank HE WANTS, he decides to act like a prima donna. This is a "grown adult" who is showing his true color.

Edit**

"The IOC said Abrahamian violated two rules of the Olympic charter, one which bans any sort of demonstrations and another which demands respect for all Olympic athletes.

"During the medal ceremony, the Armenian-born Abrahamian—who also lost a 2004 Olympic semifinal match on a disputed call—took the bronze from around his neck and, angrily, dropped it on the mat as he walked away. He did not take part in the rest of the medal ceremony."

“The awards ceremony is a highly symbolic ritual, acknowledged as such by all athletes and other participants,” the IOC said. “Any disruption by any athlete, in particular a medalist, is in itself an insult to the other athletes and to the Olympic Movement. It is also contrary to the spirit of fair play.”

There you go, he demonstrated that he did not agree with his placement, but shows a lack of respect for the other medalists by just walking off and interrupting the ceremony. This shows that not only does he think that he deserves the gold, but the person who won it doesn't deserve it.

Athletes with this type of attitude are not needed.

Answer 3

I still don't understand WHY he threw it down.  I read the story when he did throw it down twice but i still can't figure out why.

I know it was for a disputed call, but what was the call and why did he think it was wrong.

Answer 4

Athletes have every right to contest Olympic results but the medals ceremony is not the place for it!  If Ara Abrahamian had a problem with the decision made by referees then he and his coach should have lodged a formal protest to the International Olympics Committee.  In the past, the IOC has overturned referee's decisions and have even redistributed medals.  Throwing the medal on the mat and walking off in the middle of the ceremony is poor sportmanship and Abrahamian shamed himself, his coach, and his country.  

Answer 5

I think it showed bad sportsmanship. He should be glad that he was able to get a medal... But i guess he kinda took it for granted...