Mizo News
Aug 11 2013
Turkish wrestler banned for racist remarks
Ankara:Turkey’s Olympic medallist Riza Kayaalp was banned for six
months by the International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles
(FILA) for his racist remarks against Armenians and Greeks three weeks
ago.
Kayaalp had targeted Greeks and Armenians in his tweets during the
Gezi Park unrest in Turkey, reports Xinhua.
European and World Champion Kayaalp, who had won a bronze at the 2012
London Olympics, advocated that `Armenians’ were at the root of the
Gezi protests, in a series of tweets he later deleted.
FILA president Nenad Lalovic said that Kayaalp was suspended for his
racist tweets from international matches.
`He was given an immediate suspension of six months by the FILA judge
and he has the right to appeal,’ Lalovic said.
Cinema Cover Ads! Kayaalp is one of the most famous sportsmen in
Turkey. He had been picked to bear the Turkish flag during the opening
ceremony of last month’s Mediterranean Games in Mersin.