Court Supports Gymnastics Federation in Judging Case
Moutier, March 26, 2002: The Court of Arbitration for Sports (TAS) in Lausanne (SUI) has again ruled in favour of the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG) in a lawsuit filed against the FIG by a Rhythmic Gymnastics judge guilty of biased and prejudiced, unsportsmanlike behaviour as well as serious mistakes of judgement at the European Championships in Saragossa (ESP) in June, 2000.
Brief summary of the facts.
After the Rhythmic Gymnmastics World Championships held in Saragossa (ESP) in June 2000, the FIG Executive Committee, on August 8, 2000, the suspended 6 judges, resulting notably in their exclusion from the Sydney Olympic Games. The Committee issued a letter of warning to the Judges Group as a whole in Saragossa, emphasising that any lapse in their future performance would be followed up with more severe sanctioning.
Two judges appealed to the CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport) in Lausanne (SUI). The first case against the FIG was upheld on January 18. The hearing of March 26, 2002 upheld the second decision as well.
The CAS rejected the plaintiff’s appeal of August 27, 2001, confirming the FIG’s decisions of June 14 and July 31.
This has led to the closing of the 'Saragossa' case, opened in June 2000. During a brief statement, FIG President and International Olympic Committee Member Professor Bruno Grandi declared briefly to the media: 'These CAS decisions represent a severe warning for those who, in the future, might have the exceedingly bad idea of ignoring sports ethics and fairplay. They are also an encouragement for judges whose deportment honours both gymnastics in particular and sports as a whole.'
For more details contact:
Philippe J. Silacci
FIG Media & Communication Officer
2740 Moutier / Switzerland
Tf: + 41 32 494 64 10 - Mob: + 41 79 224 15 07
Fax: + 41 32 494 64 19
Brief summary of the facts.
After the Rhythmic Gymnmastics World Championships held in Saragossa (ESP) in June 2000, the FIG Executive Committee, on August 8, 2000, the suspended 6 judges, resulting notably in their exclusion from the Sydney Olympic Games. The Committee issued a letter of warning to the Judges Group as a whole in Saragossa, emphasising that any lapse in their future performance would be followed up with more severe sanctioning.
Two judges appealed to the CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport) in Lausanne (SUI). The first case against the FIG was upheld on January 18. The hearing of March 26, 2002 upheld the second decision as well.
The CAS rejected the plaintiff’s appeal of August 27, 2001, confirming the FIG’s decisions of June 14 and July 31.
This has led to the closing of the 'Saragossa' case, opened in June 2000. During a brief statement, FIG President and International Olympic Committee Member Professor Bruno Grandi declared briefly to the media: 'These CAS decisions represent a severe warning for those who, in the future, might have the exceedingly bad idea of ignoring sports ethics and fairplay. They are also an encouragement for judges whose deportment honours both gymnastics in particular and sports as a whole.'
For more details contact:
Philippe J. Silacci
FIG Media & Communication Officer
2740 Moutier / Switzerland
Tf: + 41 32 494 64 10 - Mob: + 41 79 224 15 07
Fax: + 41 32 494 64 19