- The COV stated that it reserves “the appropriate actions” in this situation against its athlete | Main photo: @elvismarrodriguez | Instagram
On Tuesday, July 23, the Venezuelan Olympic Committee (COV) confirmed that athlete Elvismar Rodríguez will not participate in the judo competition for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
On June 26, the International Judo Federation (IJF) suspended Elvismar Rodriguez for alleged doping. However, the athlete and her lawyer appealed the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and the court ruled in her favor on July 16.
“The athlete and her lawyer were able to demonstrate that for many years Rodriguez has never used any substance and for justifiable reasons could not be in the three tests (anti-doping),” the COV said in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter).
The organization stated that the suspension of the Venezuelan judoka is due to “the whim of a single person,” whose reasons for the “cruelty” towards Rodríguez are unknown.
Statement from the Board of Directors of the Venezuelan Olympic Committee on the case of Elvismar Rodríguez#Paris2024 #judo #TeamVenezuelaParis2024 pic.twitter.com/uQUJiZzqkH
— Venezuelan Olympic Committee (@OfficialCOV) July 23, 2024
Elvismar Rodriguez’s reaction to his suspension
The judoka expressed her frustration on social media and blamed the IFJ for the loss of her spot at Paris 2024.
“The IJF is one of the main culprits for this happening by rushing and giving my spot to someone else, knowing that I had the opportunity to appeal and that the decision could have been different,” Rodriguez said in a story posted on her Instagram account.
For her part, Elvismar Rodríguez’s coach, Katiuska Santaella, described the Venezuelan athlete’s situation as “painful.”
“The situation that has happened is very sad for us because we as a federation have to support our athlete. As Elvismar’s coach, I have had her since she was 6 years old and the situation that is happening is very painful for me,” the judoka said in a video posted on her Instagram.
What the court’s decision means for Elvismar Rodríguez
With its decision, the Court of Arbitration for Sport made it clear that Elvismar Rodríguez must be given back his rights at these Olympics and that his quota must be returned to him. However, he was denied his participation in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“The most serious and sad thing about this decision is the psychological, physical and mental damage that Elvismar is going through, an athlete who sacrificed herself in every training session to achieve her Olympic quota,” the organization said.
The court also sent a document to the International Judo Federation asking it to comply with its decision. In addition, the National Judo Federation of Venezuela informed it that the points and prizes that were taken away from Rodríguez must be reinstated.
For its part, the COV stated that it reserves the right to take “the appropriate actions” to demonstrate the validity of the Venezuelan judoka’s argument.
Which Venezuelan athletes will compete at the 2024 Paris Olympics?
The Venezuelan representation qualified in 10 disciplines with at least 33 athletes for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Among the Venezuelan athletes who will compete are the following names:
1) Patricia Ferrando – Horse riding (dressage)
2) Luis Fernando Larrazábal – Horse riding (jumping)
3) Raiber Rodriguez – Greco-Roman Wrestling (60 kg)
4) Betzabeth Arguello – Wrestling (53 kg)
5) Soleymi Caraballo – Freestyle wrestling (68 kg)
6) Anthony Montero – Wrestling (74 kg)
7) Gabriel Lugo – Fencing
8) Jesus Limardo – Fencing
9) Ruben Limardo – Fencing
10) Francisco Limardo – Fencing
11) Katherin Echandia – Halterofilia
12) Anyelin Venegas – Halterophilia
13) Naryury Pérez – Weightlifting
14) Julio Mayora – Weightlifting
15) Keydomar Vallenilla – Weightlifting
16) Alfonso Mestre – Swimming (400 and 800 meters freestyle)
17) Alberto Mestre – Swimming (50 meter freestyle)
18) María Yegres – Swimming (200 meters freestyle)
19) Katherine Paredes – Women’s Sabre
20) Joselyn Brea – Athletics
21) Yoveinny Type – Athletics
22) José Maita – Athletics
23) Robeilys Peinado – Athletics
24) Rosa Rodriguez – Athletics
25) Leodan Torrealba – Athletics
26) Douglas Gómez – Shooting (rapid pistol at 25 meters)
27) Leonel Martínez – Shooting (trap modality)
28) Omailyn Alcalá – Women’s Boxing (57 kg)
29) Jesus Cova – Men’s Boxing (63.5 kg)
30) Anriquelis Barrios – Judo
31) Orluis Aular – Cycling
32) Yohandri Granado – Taekwondo
33) Yulimar Rojas (only as a standard bearer)
Although Venezuela will not have Yulimar Rojas participating in the triple jump category due to the fact that she underwent surgery for an injury, the Venezuelan athlete will attend as one of the country’s flag bearers along with weightlifter Julio Mayora for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Related news
#judoka #Elvismar #Rodríguez #Paris
2024-07-24 10:00:37
