World, European champion Turkish wrestler Kayaalp temporarily banned from Paris 2024 Olympics

Turkish wrestler Riza Kayaalp, who is a world and European champion, has been temporarily banned from competing in the Paris 2024 Olympics because of the use of medication prescribed for medical treatment under the supervision of a sports physician.

Hamza Bakir, another national wrestler, will replace Kayaalp in the Olympic team.

Kayaalp has been removed from the Olympic roster because of a substance found in the medication he used, leading to his temporary suspension from competitions. Hamza Bakır will compete in wrestling at Paris in his place.

Aski Sports Club’s national wrestler in Greco-Roman style, Riza Kayaalp, disclosed that he faced the risk of being unable to step onto the mat at the Paris 2024 Olympics because of the medication he used for medical treatment under a sports physician’s supervision.

The national wrestler expressed his situation to his supporters who did not refrain from supporting him and praying for him, saying, “Despite all the professional care I showed in my Olympic preparation, which marked a 24-year successful clean sports career, I faced an unfortunate situation.”

The United World Wrestling (UWW) announced today that the national wrestler, who is a world and European champion, has been temporarily suspended from competitions.

Support from Aski Sports Club

The Aski Sports Club also made a supportive post for their player Rıza Kayaalp, stating:

“Rıza Kayaalp, who has achieved 67 international medals by the age of 34.”

Rıza Kayaalp

34 yaşa sığan 67 uluslararası madalya https://t.co/LF0efqeid7

— Aski Spor Kulübü (@askispor) July 9, 2024

Aski Sports Club President Yuksel Arslan officially supported Riza Kayaalp on their official X account in a social media post:

“On the international stage, our athlete Riza Kayaalp has repeatedly raised our proud flag and made our National Anthem resonate around the world. We will never allow the spreading of false and baseless allegations, particularly on social media.”

The post noted that Kayaalp has achieved an unparalleled record with 3 Olympic Games medals, 10 World Championships medals, and 14 European Championships medals.

“To think that such an important and professional figure in world wrestling would knowingly use banned substances is, at the very least, foolish,” read the post.

“We remind you that our son Riza is striving for his 4th Olympic medal in the latter part of his career, maintaining a clean sports career of 24 years, as pure as his mother’s milk,” it added.

The post also highlighted that the athlete had to undergo medication treatment under a doctor’s supervision for severe headaches and ringing in the ears. These complaints and doctor’s recommendations are documented in writing.

“We want you to know that Aski Sports Club stands firmly beside our athlete, whose clean sports career is unfairly tarnished because of a professional error. Respectfully announced to the public,” the post concluded.