Judoka Guram Tushishvili talks about the incident with Teddy Riner at the Paris Olympics.
“My emotions were a bit incomprehensible to the public. I want to apologize to my fans, who had hoping on me. I apologize to our federation and the coaching staff.
There are moments when something happens to an athlete that is unacceptable. An athlete must not touch the self-respect of any other athlete. I just felt that from him. I was defeated and he expressed his joy with humiliating gestures. He could stand up and express his happiness to his fans, in his own country. However, somehow, cynically, he expressed it only to me.
I couldn’t stand it. Even now, if there was such a moment, similarly, it cannot be done, but I would do it again. I do not condone my action in any way, an athlete is required to practice self-restraint,” said Tushishvili. Guram Tushishvili lost to the Frenchman at the quarter-final stage of the Paris Olympics, and after the incident between the athletes, Guram Tushishvili was disqualified.
Guram Tushishvili – Even now, if there was such a moment, I would do it again
