Deepak Punia’s coach Gaidarov expelled from Olympics

TIL Desk Sports/ Wrestler Deepak Punia’s foreign coach Murad Gaidarov was expelled from the Tokyo Olympics on Friday for assaulting the referee who officiated the bronze medal play-off bout which the Indian lost to San Marino’s Myles Nazim Amine. The International Olympic Committee has cancelled Gaidarov’s accreditation after a hearing was held in the matter.

Later in the day, the Wrestling Federation of India terminated Gaidarov’s services. The United World Wrestling (UWW), the world governing body of the game summoned the WFI for a disciplinary hearing, in which the national federation faced an embarrassing situation as a ban on them was being considered.

“We told them that Indian coaches are well-behaved and although Gaidarov trains the Indian wrestler, his actions should not affect the WFI. We assured them that Gaidarov will be terminated immediately. We barely survived a ban,” WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar said.

“Gaidarov is being sent back to India so that he can collect all his belongings. Then he will leave for his country,” Tomar added. Indian Olympic Association secretary-general Rajeev Mehta said Gaidarov’s accreditation for the Games is being withdrawn.