Statement

IOC President Bach Condemns Kabul Attack

By IOC Media

From IOC President Thomas Bach:

“I learnt with great sadness and horror today of the brutal attack on a wrestling centre in the Afghan capital, Kabul, that has left more than 20 people dead and dozens wounded.  I strongly condemn this cowardly attack on young people and on sport. The young wrestlers were there as part of a peaceful competition, and this is a direct attack on sport itself and its values. Their deaths go straight to our hearts, and these innocent victims and their friends and loved ones are in our thoughts this evening. We mourn together with them, and I would like to express our deepest sympathy and condolences, from me personally and from the entire Olympic Movement.

The International Olympic Committee, together with United World Wrestling, has already begun to explore the best ways to offer immediate help and assistance to all those affected."

https://www.olympic.org/news/statement-from-the-ioc-president

#WrestleParis

Paris Olympics: Five wrestlers to be country's flagbearers at opening ceremony

By United World Wrestling Press

PARIS (July 26) -- Five wrestlers will be the flag bearers of their respective nations at the opening ceremony at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Saturday.

The opening ceremony parade will take place in boats down the river Seine with Greece opening the parade followed by the Refugee Olympic Team and then the countries in alphabetic order. France, the host, will be the last in the parade. The United States and Australia, hosts for the next two Olympics, will come before France.

Albania's first world champion in wrestling Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB) will be the flagbearer for his country. He will wrestle in the 57kg weight class.

For Puerto Rico, world silver medalist in 65kg Sebastian RIVERIA (PUR) will be the flagbearer alongside Jasmine Camacho-Quinn from Athletics.

Rckaela AQUINO (GUM)Rckaela AQUINO (GUM) of Guam. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Guam has given the responsibility to its first-ever female wrestler Rckaela AQUINO (GUM). She will be wrestling in the 57kg weight class.

Diamantino IUNA FAFE (GBS) will be the flagbearer for Guinee-Bissau at the opening ceremony. He wrestled in Tokyo at 57kg and will perform in Paris in the same weight class.

Honduras has given the responsibility to its first-ever Greco-Roman wrestler Kevin MEJIA (HON).

Wrestling begins on August 5 in Paris and ends on August 11.