The disqualified Judoka from Sierra Leone is being “removed from the games village” and sent home earlier than schedule by the National Olympic Committee of Sierra Leone. According to the Chief of Mission of the NOC, “Frederick Harris was disqualified on Monday 27th July from competing in the 81kg event. Unisa Deen-Kargbo said “the athlete weighed 84Kg which is 4Kg above his fighting weight”.
The NOC says it’s “disappointed at this development and vehemently condemns the athlete and the Judo Federation of Sierra Leone for failing to monitor the weight”.
According to the NOC, “Harris was issued a Wild Card Qualification by the International Judo Federation as best Looser in the African Championship held in Madagascar in 2020. The Judo Federation received the invitation and accepted it with a strong pledge that the athlete will compete. The NOC then prepared the Accreditation and did the necessary preparation for the athlete to compete”.
Kargbo said “an investigation will be carried out for possible sanctions against the athlete and maybe Judo as a Federation”.
Meanwhile female Swimmer Tity Dumbuya who tested positive for COVID-19 in Ghana on her way to Japan and was held at the airport in Accra for a second test “is now on her way to Japan”. The NOC says “she will arrive in time to compete”.
Copyright © 2021 Politico Online (29/07/21)
