Kadimagomedov: "I don't know the reason for my exclusion from the Games"
Magomedkhabib Kadimagomedov, a silver medalist at the Tokyo Olympics and a member of the Belarusian national team, who was barred by the IOC from participating in the Paris Games, shared his feelings and future plans in an interview with wrestdag.ru.
"To say that I am upset is an understatement," the wrestler began. "When I went to the previous Olympics, I didn’t fully understand what kind of competition it was, what the atmosphere was like, etc. But this time, I was perfectly prepared in every aspect. I spent a lot of effort and considerable resources on this. The most frustrating thing is that I don't even know why I was suspended. The IOC has the right to prevent an athlete from participating in the Games, but don't we, the athletes, have the right to know the reason? We have spent tens of years sweating in gyms, overcoming various obstacles, and denying ourselves many things to compete at the most important event of the four-year cycle. And now, just a step away from the main goal, we are stopped without any justification. It turns out that 'Games open to all' have become 'Games open to the IOC's chosen ones'.
Do you have any ideas about the reasons for your disqualification?
Absolutely none. I have never been associated with sports schools affiliated with the military or law enforcement agencies, never participated in any actions, always stayed away from politics, and focused on my work - training and competitions. All the documentation about where I trained throughout my career, who I represented, etc., was sent to the IOC, and you can see the result yourself.
Will you continue competing on the mat?
Yes, of course. I am very disappointed with the whole situation today, but at the same time, I love my sport, to which I have devoted more than half of my life. Most likely, I will prepare for the World Championship in October in the non-Olympic categories in the weight class up to 79 kg. I still don't have a medal from these competitions.
Are you receiving many messages from fans?
A lot. Huge thanks to all my relatives, friends, and fans, of which I have many, for their sincere support. Unfortunately, I can't reply to everyone, but the support from each of them is important to me.
By the way, you have a contract with the fighting organization Bellator, have you thought about stepping into the octagon now?
I've thought about that too. Of course, I want to achieve my main goal on the wrestling mat, but given today's example, is there any guarantee that I will be allowed to participate in the 2028 Games in Los Angeles? I don't want to waste four years of my life if the selection system remains the same. In any case, I am not considering performing in MMA this year. At the moment, my priority is a medal for my country from the World Championship. After that, we will discuss further plans with the Belarusian Wrestling Federation.
The Belarusian Wrestling Federation announced yesterday that after a re-examination of the personal files of each Belarusian athlete, considering the arguments presented by the National Olympic Committee, the IOC has still upheld the decision to bar the country's leading wrestlers from the Olympics. These athletes include freestyle wrestlers Aryan Tyutrin, Magomedkhabib Kadimagomedov, Alexander Hushtyn, and Denis Khromenko; female wrestlers Iryna Kurachkina and Vanesa Kaladzinskaya; and Greco-Roman wrestler Pavel Lintuk. The wrestling competitions at the Olympic Games will take place from August 5th to 11th.