30 July 2024 | 18:44

Organizer tried to take national flag from Kazakh gold medalist

©️Sali Sabirov

Tengrinews.kz - A scandal has erupted in the network around judoka Yeldos Smetov, who won Kazakhstan's first gold medal.

A video that has surfaced online is sparking widespread reaction among fans and the sports community. The footage shows Yeldos Smetov, after his victorious match, receiving the Kazakh flag from the audience. However, one of the event organizers attempted to take the flag away from him, leading to outrage among supporters.

In the video, Yeldos can be seen unfurling the flag and proudly parading around the arena to celebrate his victory. Despite his clear request to be left alone with the flag, the organizer persists in trying to remove it.

@qupya07 🇰🇿 Победа и гордость Казахстана! Но почему помешали нашим спортсменам поднять наш флаг? Нет места несправедливости и давлению в спорте! Поддержим наших спортсменов! 💪 🇰🇿 Victory and pride of Kazakhstan! But why were our athletes prevented from raising our flag? No place for injustice and pressure in sports! Let's support our athletes! 💪 #Kazakhstan #Olympics2024 #Victory #Sports #Justice #Independence #Казахстан #Олимпиада2024 #Победа #Спорт #Справедливость #Независимость #KazakhstanPride #SportsJustice #SupportOurAthletes #Olympics2024 #KazakhPower #Victory ♬ suara asli - 𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 - 𝟑𝟎𝟑 𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜

"Victory and pride of Kazakhstan! But why were our athletes prevented from raising our flag? No place for injustice and pressure in sports! Let's support our athletes!," video's caption says.

Fans considered the organiser's behaviour disrespectful to Yeldos and his country. In social networks there was a discussion about the inadmissibility of such actions, contrary to the spirit of the Olympic Games. Kazakhstanis believe that the organisers should have supported the triumph of Yeldos Smetov.

There is no information that athletes are forbidden to celebrate their victory with the national flag, but it is not known exactly whether the actions can be considered a breach of etiquette.

The National Olympic Committee of Kazakhstan confirmed that there was no official prohibition from the organizers regarding this matter.

Yeldos Smetov, a Kazakh judoist, has secured Kazakhstan's first gold medal at the Paris Olympics.