National wrestler Rıza Kayaalp banned from Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games

National wrestler Rıza Kayaalp, who was temporarily suspended from competitions after a prohibited substance was detected in medication he used under the supervision of a sports physician, will not be able to compete in the Paris Olympics.

Following the expiration of the deadline for submitting athlete rosters for the Olympics, Hamza Bakır will wrestle in place of Kayaalp, who is no longer on the squad.

World and European champion and Olympic silver medalist Rıza Kayaalp will not be able to step onto the mat at the Paris 2024 Olympics due to medication he used for treatment under the supervision of a sports physician.

Wrestler Rıza Kayaalp, who was found to have used a prohibited substance, has been temporarily suspended from competitions. Kayaalp, who was banned from competitions, has been removed from the Paris Olympics squad.

'I AM FACING AN UNFORTUNATE SITUATION'

National wrestler Rıza Kayaalp recently addressed his supporters who have not withheld their support and prayers in a statement.

"Despite all the professional care I have shown in my final Olympic preparation of my 24-year successful and clean sports career, I am facing an unfortunate situation," the national wrestler stated, adding the following:

'I EVEN RECEIVED APPROVAL FROM EXPERTS WHILE USING PAINKILLERS'

"I wanted you to hear about all the developments from me personally and with my usual sincerity, before any news platform or authorized body made an announcement.

Due to the recent increase in my long-standing complaints of severe tinnitus, dizziness, and headaches, I received emergency intervention.

Throughout my career, I have shown all necessary attention and care in every area of my life. I have not acted without receiving approval from my experts, even regarding the food I consume or medications I use, such as painkillers.

'WE HAVE BEGUN OUR LEGAL STRUGGLE'

This meticulousness of mine is well known in the sports community. In my treatment process for the aforementioned complaints, I began the treatment process with the professional awareness provided by my sports career by consulting my sports physician about the prescription written for me, both in writing and verbally.

As a result of incorrect treatment applied to me during this treatment process, which was started with the approval of my sports physician, my participation in sports competitions was temporarily suspended as a precaution by United World Wrestling (UWW) officials.

In this respect, I am facing the danger of not being able to participate in the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games. We have begun our legal struggle for this grievance that my clean sports career has been subjected to."

'I HOPE YOU WILL NOT WITHHOLD YOUR PRAYERS AND SUPPORT'

Rıza Kayaalp said, "I hope that you will not withhold your prayers and support, which you have not withheld while I was winning 14 European, 10 world, and 3 Olympic medals, as I try to overcome this grievance I am experiencing on the final stretch of my sports career."