european wrestling qualifiers Gagik Snjoyan has abandoned his Olympic dream

[MosJan]

Armenian-born French wrestler Gagik Snjoyan has abandoned his Olympic dream over security fears by refusing to take part in the European wrestling qualifiers in Azerbaijan, reports AFP. Armenia and Azerbaijan still don't have a recognised border, having fought several wars over the past 30 years

 

 

https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1144563/snjoyan-abanodons-olympic-dream-for-safe#:~:text=Armenian%2Dborn%20French%20wrestler%20Gagik,over%20the%20past%2030%20years.

 

 

[MosJan]

noone can guaranty his safety

[MosJan]

Franco-Armenian wrestler abandons Olympic dream over safety fears in Baku

 

Armenian-born French wrestler Gagik Snjoyan has abandoned his Olympic dream over security fears by refusing to take part in the European wrestling qualifiers in Azerbaijan, reports AFP.

Snjoyan was France’s number one wrestler in the 67 kg Greco-Roman category and was due to compete in the European qualifiers in Baku on 5-7 April, but was dissuaded from travelling by his family, who feared for his safety.

“Any Armenian who enters Azerbaijani territory risks not coming back. It’s not me who says that, it’s life that has shown that,” the 22-year-old told AFP. “Honestly, it’s understandable. If you’ve been following the tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan lately, it’s really complicated. No Armenian goes to Azerbaijan and vice versa,” he stressed.

Born in Yerevan in 2001, Snjoyan began his wrestling career in his native country before his family sought asylum in France a decade ago.

Despite being offered increased security by the French Wrestling Federation, Snjoyan said he had been forced to make the “most difficult” decision of his career.” “I have never been in a situation like this before. I don’t think it happens to me, it happens to others. And when it happens to us, it’s not easy to deal with, to be honest,” he said.

“On the one hand you have your family and on the other hand you have your dream and your sweat that has been flowing for decades. I decided to put my family first,” added Snjoyan.

He was replaced by French N2 Mamadassa Sylla, who won the Olympic quota on the first day of qualifying on 5 April.

 

 

https://en.armradio.am/2024/04/08/franco-armenian-wrestler-abandons-olympic-dream-over-safety-fears-in-baku/

[MosJan]

Olympic wrestler Frank Chamizo says he rejected $300,000 bribe to throw qualifier match

 

https://www.cbssports.com/olympics/news/olympic-wrestler-frank-chamizo-says-he-rejected-300000-bribe-to-throw-qualifier-match/#:~:text=Two%2Dtime%20world%20champion%20wrestler,qualification%20tournament%20in%20Baku%2C%20Azerbaijan.

 

 

Two-time world champion wrestler and Olympic bronze medalist Frank Chamizo said that he rejected a $300,000 bribe to throw a match during last week's European wrestling Olympic qualification tournament in Baku, Azerbaijan. Chamizo, a Cuban national who competes for Italy, ended up losing the match to Turan Bayramov following a controversial late call.

With the score tied 8-8 at the end of the semifinal, Chamizo scored two points that would have won him the match and allowed him to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics. The judges had awarded him the points, but they would later be overturned after a challenge from Bayramov's coach was upheld. In a post on Instagram, Chamizo attributed the decision to "a group of bribed and corrupt people" -- the decision gave the win to Bayramov, who is Azerbaijani -- while also making further claims about corruption in the tournament to the Italian newspaper La Repubblica.

"I knew that I had to give double, triple in Azerbaijan because I was fighting in their country and they had bought everyone," Chamizo said. "I did it, but then something happened that has echoes of wrestling many years ago.