Tigiev Stripped of Olympic Medal

Nov 8, 2012 by Willie Saylor

Tigiev Stripped Of Olympic Bronze

Sholinian Vardan, Flowrestling International Contributor

On Wednesday, Soslan Tigiev of Uzbekistan was stripped of the Bronze medal he earned in this summer’s London Olympics. Today, further information was released.

Wrestling in one of the most anticipated weight classes of the London Games, 74 kilograms, Tigiev captured Bronze by winning a second round bout against Oleg Motsalin of Greece, before falling to Sadegh Goudarzi in the quarterfinals. In the repechage finals, Tigiev beat Hungary’s Gabor Hatos to medal.

American Jordan Burroughs won the Gold in the weight class, beating Goudarzi in the finals. Russia's Denis Tsargush won one Bronze. And with the sanctions applied to Tigiev, Hatos will now be awarded the other Bronze.

The press release issued from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) detailed the penalties and governance.

I. The athlete, Soslan Tigiev, Uzbekistan, wrestling:

(i) is disqualified from the men’s 74 kg freestyle wrestling event, where he placed third;

(ii) is excluded from the Games of the XXX Olympiad in London in 2012;

(iii) shall have his medal, diploma and medallist pin in the above-noted event withdrawn;

II. The International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles (FILA) is requested to modify the results of the above-mentioned event accordingly and to consider any further action within its own competence.

III. The NOC of Uzbekistan is ordered to return to the IOC, as soon as possible, the medal, diploma and medallist pin awarded to the Athlete in relation to the above-noted event.

IV. It is noted that FILA considers that, in accordance with its rules, the third place would be reallocated to Gabor Hatos of Hungary. As a consequence, the IOC administration is instructed to reallocate the medal, diploma and medallist pin accordingly.

V. The NOC of Uzbekistan and London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games shall ensure full implementation of the Executive Board decision.

VI. This decision shall enter into force immediately.

According to an Associated Press report later released, Tigiev tested positive for Methylhexanamine, commonly used as a nasal decongestant, but often misappropriated in sports for it’s effectiveness as a stimulant and dietary supplement for weight loss.