22. October 2004  
Lausanne / Schweiz  
Artistic Gymnastics

CAS Decision: Hamm is the Olympic Champion!

Paul Hamm (USA)

The fig pronounced, that the Court of Arbitration for Sport has rejected the appeal submitted by the Korean Gymnast Yang Tae Young, against the judges’ decision after the Men’s Olympic All Around competition in Athens.

According to the rules in effect, the ranking will not be modified and the gold medal will remain as presented to Paul Hamm (USA)....

...the results are correct:
- Gold: Paul HAMM (USA; Mitte)
- Silver: KIM, Dae Eun (KOR; li)
- Bronze: YANG, Tae Young (KOR)

On receipt of the CAS decision, FIG President Bruno Grandi stated that the rules were respected stricto sensu. However, he added that the judging situation as a result of this Athens’ incident is still not acceptable.

“The FIG and the gymnasts are entitled to sport justice. Sport cannot exist without justice. I will go to the end to ensure that mistakes and biaised judging are investigated and punished. The responsible will be severely sanctioned!”
President Grandi has proposed modifications of the artistic rules and presenting today the principles of the new direction to the 350 delegates of the national federations attending the ordinary General Assembly of the FIG in Antalya.
source: fig