Development

Palau Showing Support for Peace-Through-Sport Movement with White Cards

By United World Wrestling Press

Palau has been actively supporting the peace-through-sport movement by displaying a white card as part of their digital campaign to show their commitment to peace and sports efforts worldwide. 

The annual campaign recognizes the importance of the peace-through-sport movement, capturing the attention of millions of people each year through social networks in the lead up to International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP). As part of the White Card campaign, Olympians and members of the Olympic family are invited to hold up a symbolic white card and share a photo of themselves doing so on social media.

The first display of the white card was in Peleliu State during the outreach program and sports events that began on April 7 and concluded on April 9 in commemoration of Palau National Olympic Day and the third anniversary of the Emperor and Empress of Japan historic visit to Palau. Mats were provided by United World Wrestling.

On April 9, the first beach wrestling competition took place in Peleliu. After the competition, wrestlers displayed the white card as part of their Olympic support. 

The symbolic white card was displayed by students at Ngarchelong Elementary, Ngeremlengui Elementary and Ngaraard Elementary after taking part in the wrestling outreach PE program. 

According to John Tarkong Jr., Olympian and President of the Palau Olympians & Athletes Commission (POAC), "This is our way of showing the world that Palau is committed on promoting peace and sport as a means of change in Palau and the world when conducting our activities and events. This effort is also in line with the Presidential Proclamation designating 2018 as the Year of Good Health."

#Anti-Doping

CAS sanctions Datunashvili for anti-doping violation

By United World Wrestling Press

COSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (November 26) -- The Anti-Doping Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport has sanctioned former world champion Zurabi DATUASHVILI (SRB) with five years of ineligibility and disqualified all results obtained by the athlete from May 27, 2021.

This comes after anti-doping rule violations committed by Datunashvili, following investigations conducted by the International Testing Agency in April 2023. United World Wrestling acknowledges the decision rendered by the CAS ADD.

Datunashvili was provisionally suspended for the wrestler's use of a prohibited method and for tampering with the doping control process. The case was referred to the CAS ADD, which found that the athlete had violated the doping rules. 

After the decision, Datunashvili was imposed with a five-year ineligibility, and all competitive results obtained by the wrestler between May 27, 2021, and April 11, 2023, are disqualified.

Datunashvili has since appealed parts of this decision before the CAS Appeal Division. Considering the pending appeal, the reallocation of results and medals associated with this case remains suspended pending the final decision.

UWW, committed to clean sport, supports the ongoing efforts of the ITA to ensure adherence to anti-doping regulations.