AIBA lie to IABA – Conlan judges remain in Rio
Despite the AIBA announcing earlier today that they have removed certain officials from their roster for these Olympic Games, it has emerged that at least two of the four officials, both judges, who presided over Mick Conlan’s ‘defeat’ over Vladimir Nikitin remain in Rio.
The governing body’s statement today explained that “following recent judging decisions and after carrying out a thorough examination by the relevant Commission, AIBA has decided to take immediate and appropriate actions.”
“The AIBA R&J Commission has reviewed all decisions and determined that less than a handful of the decisions were not at the level expected and consequently it has been decided in accordance with the AIBA R&J evaluation committee that the concerned referees and judges will no longer officiate at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.”
While the names of the unspecified numbers of R&Js sent home was not revealed, it was assumed that many of the officials who scored both the Evgeny Tischenko-Vasilly Levit heavyweight final and the Mick Conlan-Vladimir Nikitin bantamweight quarter final would be sent packing.
Indeed IABA CEO Fergal Carruth revealed on RTÉ 2 this evening that “we were informed last night that the officials and judges in charge of Michael’s bout have been stood down.”
However, it has emerged that there has been either a breakdown in communications between the AIBA and IABA, or merely a blatant lie, as at least three of the four officials from the Conlan bout are still judging and refereeing bouts in Brazil as the tournament draws to a close.
Brazilian Jones Kennedy Silva Da Rosario and Sri Lankan Bandara Talik Udoni Kiridena both adjudged Conlan to have lost 29-28 yesterday but remain at the Games, with both having been involved in tonight’s fights at the Riocentro.
Algeria’s Kheira Sidi Yakoub, who refereed the bout, and Pole Mariusz Gorny, both 5* R&Js, have not participated in any bouts tonight in Brazil, and their ongoing presence at the Games is unconfirmed.
Both Yakoub and Gorny are part of the so-called Magnificent Seven of full-time AIBA R&Js tasked with overseeing the officiating of all AIBA bouts.
