#UnitedWorldWrestling

UWW updates eligibility criteria for Russia, Belarus wrestlers

Wednesday, September 25, 2024 - 12:37 By United World Wrestling Press

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CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (September 25) -- The United World Wrestling Bureau has decided to update the eligibility criteria for wrestlers and support staff from Russia and Belarus.

UWW had announced eligibility criteria for Russian and Belarussian wrestlers and staff in 2023. However, the Bureau met on September 24 [Tuesday], to review the same and approved the updated criteria.

For future UWW tournaments, only evidence of direct military participation in the war against Ukraine or public declarations [in written or orally] in support of the war and/or of their promoters or participants will be considered to declare an athlete as ineligible.

UWW will also re-examine all cases, according to the new criteria, that had earlier been declared ineligible.

The eligible Russian and Belarussian wrestlers and support staff will continue to compete under the neutral flag as Individual Neutral Athletes.  UWW anthem will be used for ceremonies but no reference to the flag, symbols or coat of arms of Russia and Belarus will be authorized.

The Bureau, however, did not decide on the return of international competition to Russia and Belarus.

#WrestleParis

Paris Olympics: Five wrestlers to be country's flagbearers at opening ceremony

Friday, July 26, 2024 - 17:48 By United World Wrestling Press

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PARIS (July 26) -- Five wrestlers will be the flag bearers of their respective nations at the opening ceremony at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Saturday.

The opening ceremony parade will take place in boats down the river Seine with Greece opening the parade followed by the Refugee Olympic Team and then the countries in alphabetic order. France, the host, will be the last in the parade. The United States and Australia, hosts for the next two Olympics, will come before France.

Albania's first world champion in wrestling Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB) will be the flagbearer for his country. He will wrestle in the 57kg weight class.

For Puerto Rico, world silver medalist in 65kg Sebastian RIVERIA (PUR) will be the flagbearer alongside Jasmine Camacho-Quinn from Athletics.

Rckaela AQUINO (GUM)Rckaela AQUINO (GUM) of Guam. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Guam has given the responsibility to its first-ever female wrestler Rckaela AQUINO (GUM). She will be wrestling in the 57kg weight class.

Diamantino IUNA FAFE (GBS) will be the flagbearer for Guinee-Bissau at the opening ceremony. He wrestled in Tokyo at 57kg and will perform in Paris in the same weight class.

Honduras has given the responsibility to its first-ever Greco-Roman wrestler Kevin MEJIA (HON).

Wrestling begins on August 5 in Paris and ends on August 11.